Is Lentil Microgreens Edible? Many people wonder the same thing when it comes to planting and growing microgreens, a legume that is commonly known as “peas,” or even other legumes like black beans or kidney beans. While there are many who consider these legumes to be “dieter’s food,” others have been known to eat them without guilt.
The reason for this can be attributed to the fact that eating microgreens is different than eating any other green. When they are being grown, unlike the way that they are eaten, microgreens are being harvested from plants that are much smaller than their mature plant form. In other words, they are being grown in small containers, much like the ones that farmers use when they are ready to harvest vegetables. These containers are called “grow rings.” Each ring has five to six orchids inside of it, which means that there are only about 100 grams worth of plant material in each of these rings.
The harvesting process is then done using a hand-held device called a “hop wheel.” This device looks a lot like a fork but is actually much more advanced and used for analyzing the amount of water that is in the micro green seeds. Once this level is determined, then the farmer will know the number of orchids to get in order to complete the planting. The microgreens seeds will then be taken to a processing plant where they will be prepared for sale.
While this may seem like a long process, in reality it is rather simple. After the microgreens are harvested, the plant material, now slightly larger in size, is put into a growing tray. The growing tray is designed with holes that are large enough for the roots of the orchids to have room to grow. The holes are large enough so that medium and large sized orchids can fit in them without contest. After the orchids are planted in the tray, they are left to go to work for twelve to fourteen hours.
After the time is up, a person removes the orchids from the growing medium and carefully places them in a zip lock bag. The bag is placed in a cooler and is ready to go, right out of the box. Once they are at this point, they are ready to be sold. The bags should be opened while the seeds are still in the growing medium inside the bag, but not until the seeds are fully developed and ready to sell. The seeds should be patted dry before placing them into their own individual packaging.
At this point, a person should remove the plastic bag and place the microgreen inside. The growing medium inside has now been filled with the seeds. The seeds should now be placed in an airtight container and used immediately, or stored in the freezer until needed.
The fact that these orchids are certified as edible does not mean they will spoil if stored for a long period of time. Microgreens remain fresh for about seven days after they are plucked from their growing medium, so they can be preserved over a longer period of time. Once the tray of microgreens is opened, they are ready for sale. They can be purchased at any health food store, as well as online.
In addition to being delicious, is Lentil Microgreens edible? The answer is yes. Lentils are extremely nutritious, especially when they are sprouted. Their complete protein and iron content make them excellent for vegetarians, while their high fiber content helps people suffering from constipation. When it comes to flavor, these little microgreens have very mild flavors.