Taken from Lynne’s weekly column ‘Green Scene’ for the Western Mail
11th January 2020
Microgreens with Macro Flavour
Love it or loathe it, Christmas is one hell of an interruption to most people’s daily routines, but I must admit to making the most of a few days off and catching up with the more exciting things on my ‘To Do List …’
One of those things was to meet up with an amazing couple who are ‘farming’ microgreens. I say ‘farming’ as they explained to me that they both wanted to farm but didn’t have any land, so they set up a business growing crops that didn’t need any land. It is genius and a typical example of Katherine Robinson and David Langton’s inspirational ‘make it happen’ attitude.
Although little in stature, microgreens are big on taste and nutrition, and are simply edible immature greens with the most amazing flavours. They are harvested, with scissors, around 3 weeks after germination and at around 2 inches tall. Think ‘mustard and cress for grown ups’ – although kids love them too, of course.
Salad greens, leafy veg, herbs, and even edible flowers can be grown as microgreens but at Langtons Farm, in Gilwern I tasted Borage – tastes like mild cucumber; sunflower – a really substantial, crunchy microgreen; red radish – spicy, and broccoli – tasty. The biggest surprise – and by far the biggest flavours – were delivered by the deceptively delicious coriander and tiny, weedy looking leeks, with flavours punching well above their weight.
Microgreens are excellent for adding flavour and interest to salads and sandwiches but also soups and stews. I sprinkled the coriander and leek on top of a curry and enjoyed a mix of the others in an omelette and salads. They are also excellent for adding flavour and nutrition to smoothies and juices.
In theory, microgreens are relatively simple to grow at home and there’s no shortage of instructions and advice on-line. I already grow sprouting seeds (and pea shoots) so will probably try a few trays of microgreens too. However I will also be buying a mixed bag of ‘gorgeous greens’ from Katherine and David every week to ensure I get my new year off to a macro-healthy start.
I predict a bright future for microgreens and for Langtons Farm. Many of the microgreens boast up to 40 times the amount of nutrients and vitamins that the same veg as a mature plant would produce. And of course they are raw, so none of the goodness is removed by cooking. It is such a simple way to upgrade your nutrition and there are numerous medicinal benefits, which are worth investigating.
David delivers locally each week. Tel: 07730342647 to find out more. Or email langtonsfarmcymru@gmail.com and follow on Facebook.
Oh and they are also looking for top loading washing machines, if you know of one. They want to repurpose them as huge ‘salad spinners’. I told you they were innovative!
Jung at Heart
I also took advantage of my enforced festive break to read and research, and got totally absorbed in Carl Jung’s ‘The Two Halves of Life’. Summed up nicely in one of his quotes, “The first half of life is devoted to forming a healthy ego, the second half is going inward and letting go of it”, it describes beautifully the struggle that most of us face when we try to live the second half of our lives by the rules and learned behaviour of the first half.
Having (only) just managed to squeeze out the other side of the madness that was the menopause, I totally understand the ‘two halves’ analogy. As I explain in my talks on the subject – interrupted with bee facts and gardening tips – the whole secret to surviving the menopause is to realise and accept that it is a time of change. Traditionally it was of course referred to as ‘The Change’, but we seem to have glossed over that helpful reminder. I struggled painfully with trying to maintain my familiar life style as my hormones insisted it was time to re-evaluate all that had served me in the first part of my life. It makes perfect sense that we need to adapt accordingly instead of trying to cling onto ‘how it used to be’.
Interestingly, microgreens are thought to help alleviate many of the menopausal symptoms. Broccoli, radish and red clover contain concentrated amounts of phytochemicals (plant compounds), which can help reduce hot flushes, mood swings and PMS symptoms. I have another fabulous book called ‘Grow Your Own HRT: Sprout hormone-rich greens in only two minutes a day’, by Sally J. Duffell. With over 80% of middle aged women suffering various symptoms of the menopause, it is essential reading if you want to help yourself to a healthier diet.
Post menopause(ish), I now focus far more on ‘involution’ than evolution, and am heeding Carl Jung’s advice. That includes a healthier diet, making more discerning decisions and avoiding drama – you don’t have to attend every argument you are invited to – and I highly recommend it.
So as we enter a new decade, I wish you all a belated happy and healthy new year – make it count!
No doctor has ever mentioned microgreens to me but I would be a lifelong patient if one ever did. Thank you for your practical advice. I love your posts Lynne, and will be ordering both of these books and eating more microgreens.