What you need to know about Nasturtiums Microgreens
Did you know?
Nasturtiums have a spicy flavour and are delicious in many recipes, including infused as a therapeutic tea. They're often described as having a peppery, mustard, and even wasabi-like flavour. These superfoods have giant leaves and beautiful multi-coloured stems ranging in shades from light pink to bright yellow. The variety we grow is 'Empress of India', which don’t grow too big and have a beautiful bright green leaf. The pattern and shape of their leaves are very delicate and eye-catching. These tiny powerhouses encapsulate all the benefits of the mature plant in a highly concentrated form.
Although the Nasturtiums microgreens doesn’t produce flowers, these wonderful plants can also be grown outside. Nasturtiums are actually a perennial plant that has stems that are succulent and their flowers range from yellow/ orange in colour. These flowers are edible and are often used for culinary purposes because they look very beautiful and decorative. Nasturtiums are also great companion plants when panted with squash, they are amazing pest repellents.
Here is a simple Nasturtium Tea infusion - perfect for the change in the seasons to improve the immune system and keep sore throats / coughs at bay.
Ingredients
1 cup nasturtium flowers and leaves
1-litre boiling water
How to make
1. Place the flowers, leaves and buds in the boiling water in a jug.
2. Cover and allow to brew for 15 mins. Strain and drink or use a hair rinse or toner this is also a great spray over plants to protect them against unwanted bugs.
To sprinkle micro-greens over your dishes is so simple and quick. It’s a wonderful solution to adding essential nutrients to every meal. Whether that’s in salads, smoothies, burgers, sandwiches, wraps, soups, risottos, pastas, eggs, fish and meat, etc as a garnish. You can eat them fresh (which is the best way, IMO), or you can cook them into your soups, with stir fry dishes, sauté them like spinach, use as dips/ sauces or infuse as a drink.
Nasturtiums Microgreens are great for
served with an omelette
with seafood, sushi (as they have a lovely wasabi-like flavour)
garnishes over salad bowls
in wraps/ sandwiches / burgers / veggie burgers
added to soups
added to pasta dishes, risottos
with a cheese platter
infused as a tea
with stews
made into a pesto
as a hair rinse or toner
as a spray for pests for your indoor plants
Pairs well with
Lentils
Carrots
Tomato
Beef/Slow cooked pork
Sushi
How to take care of your Micro Nasturtiums
Keep your live microgreens at a cool temperature with good air flow. Not too humid. Favourable temperature range of 18 to 24°C and relative humidity (RH) of 40 to 60 per cent would meet the needs of most plants.
Using a knife (rather than scissors) to cut your live microgreens, this ensures they stay fresher for longer. Keep your live microgreens on a shallow tray/plate. Water twice a day, don’t water too much, little and often. Always water from below. Avoid watering from above as this may cause mould. The amount of water will vary according to the environmental conditions: i.e. they'll need more water if they're in the sun and wind, than if they're in a sheltered, shady spot. Water them evenly, making sure the growing medium (compost) is moist.
Nutritional Facts
Vitamin C in nasturtium microgreens is a natural antioxidant that aids in the prevention of illnesses and diseases by strengthening our immune system. Nasturtium microgreens contain some vitamins and minerals that are also beneficial for the immune system. These vitamins and minerals include B vitamins, iron, phosphorus, calcium, and chromium.
Health Benefits
Nasturtiums have anti-fungal, antibacterial, and antibiotic properties, making them a strong immune system modulator. These microgreens can help relieve the symptoms of upper respiratory infections and reduce inflammation in the body.
Plus they are packed with nutrition containing high vitamin C levels, manganese, iron, flavonoids, and beta carotene. They can improve our immune system, stopping sore throats, coughs, and colds, as well as bacterial and fungal infections.
MEDICAL DISCLAIMER
This content is for informational and educational purposes only. It is not intended to provide medical advice or to take the place of such advice or treatment from a personal physician.
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