Nasturtium microgreens are easy to grow in loamy soil with enough light and moderate water. They have a peppery, spicy flavor and are used in several dishes, including salads and wraps. The leaves are therapeutic, and they also make for a tasty tea.
Nasturtium is a perennial flowering plant with succulent branches and yellowish flowers. Every part of the nasturtium plant is edible. Some flowers are genuinely edible and taste better than most other edible plants.
There aren’t many edible plants that taste like nasturtium. Most edible flowers have sweet and floral aromas that pair well with desserts and other vegetables. The spicy and peppery flavor of nasturtium, on the other hand, allows it to integrate nicely with meat flavors, as we generally link spicy and peppery qualities with delicious meat dishes.
As a result, nasturtium is a popular ingredient in many recipes, including salads and other savory foods.
In addition to utilizing the nasturtium flowers and leaves in cooked foods, you can also use them in salad sauces and dips to give the dish a unique flavor.
How are nasturtium microgreens different from the grown plant?
Growing nasturtium as microgreens in your own home is the best method to enjoy its flavors while optimizing the health advantages it provides. Nasturtium plants are already nutritious, but their microgreen counterparts are not just delicious but also healthier.
The distinguishing feature of nasturtium microgreens from full-grown nasturtium plants is that microgreens are not grown to the full size when planted. Nasturtium microgreens are thus the dwarf counterparts of the adult nasturtium plant.
In general, the sole difference between microgreens and full-fledged plants is the method of cultivation. Microgreens are plants harvested before the leaves grow and new leaves start budding. Furthermore, microgreens have edible stems, unlike their grown counterparts, which only have leaves.
For variety, there are over 50 different types of nasturtium microgreens to choose from. Each of these diverse types has its distinct flavor and benefits, but they are nearly identical in most other aspects.
Now, let’s get into why you would want to eat nasturtium microgreens and why you should include edible flowers in your diet.
Why use nasturtium microgreens
Nasturtium microgreens, like many other edible flowers or greens, can provide a variety of health advantages. Due to their status as microgreens, nasturtium microgreens have more nutrients than adult plants.
A study titled “A review on Nasturtium officinale: A potential medicinal plant” was published in the IOSR Journal of Pharmacy. This study revealed nasturtium microgreens have various therapeutic properties.
Here are some of the benefits of nasturtium microgreens:
- Immune system booster: A study titled “Garden nasturtium (Tropaeolum majus L.) – a source of mineral elements and bioactive compounds” published in NCBI 2018 shows its nutritional value.
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.
- Aids in the treatment of colds: Nasturtium microgreens contain high levels of vitamin C, which is a natural antibiotic and can help in treating colds. A few leaves and petals of this delicious plant can be enough to keep you healthy and prevent colds.
- Excellent for skin: The vitamins and minerals in nasturtium microgreens, like those found in most other veggies and edible flowers, can help you improve your appearance by keeping you looking young and fresh.
Nasturtium microgreens are high in natural antioxidants, according to a study titled “Sprouts and Microgreens—Novel Food Sources for Healthy Diets” published in the journal of Free Radical Biology and Medicine. The antioxidants in it fight free radicals and purify your body, making you appear younger.
- Benefits your hair: If you don’t want to eat nasturtium microgreens, these edible blooms can be used to treat dandruff and improve the health of your scalp. You may also make a tea of these flowers to get the same advantages.
- Works as insect repellent: Nasturtium microgreens are an effective insect repellent. If you have other greens and fruits in your yard and wish to keep annoying insects away from them, this can help. It can help repel pests by disguising the aroma of your other plants.
- Long-lasting: Nasturtium is a perennial plant that will keep growing even after harvesting. That means a few nasturtium seeds can produce several nasturtium microgreens for a long period before the plants conclude their life cycle.
- Enhances flavor: Nasturtium microgreens also boost the flavor of your dishes. Chefs love using nasturtium microgreens in the kitchen because they offer a layer of depth to salads and savory meals, thanks to the spicy and peppery flavor of this edible flower. You may add them to cooked meals or use them as a garnish to bring more taste and health benefits to your food.
Conclusion
Nasturtium microgreens are a genus of herbaceous flowering plants with enormous green leaves and brightly colored flowers. The leaves, flowers, and seeds are all edible and high in minerals such as lutein, vitamin C, manganese, and other antioxidants.
Nasturtium microgreens can be used to add color and nutrients to meals, while the leaves provide a peppery, mustard-like taste. Include these tiny nutrient powerhouses in your daily diet to help your body become stronger, healthier, and more resistant to diseases.
References
Chambial, S., Dwivedi, S., Shukla, K. K., John, P. J., & Sharma, P. (2013). Vitamin C in disease prevention and cure: an overview. Indian Journal of Clinical Biochemistry: IJCB, 28(4), 314–328. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12291-013-0375-3
Do nasturtiums keep bugs away? (n.d.). Bountifulgardener.Com. Retrieved May 29, 2022, from https://www.bountifulgardener.com/do-nasturtiums-keep-bugs-away/
Ebert, A. W. (2022). Sprouts and microgreens-novel food sources for healthy diets. Plants, 11(4), 571. https://doi.org/10.3390/plants11040571
Jillian Levy, C. (2020, August 13). Nasturtium uses, benefits, recipes, how to grow, and more. Dr. Axe. https://draxe.com/nutrition/nasturtium/
Kim, G.-C., Kim, J.-S., Kim, G.-M., & Choi, S.-Y. (2017). Anti-adipogenic effects of Tropaeolum majus (nasturtium) ethanol extract on 3T3-L1 cells. Food & Nutrition Research, 61(1), 1339555. https://doi.org/10.1080/16546628.2017.1339555
Li, S., Chen, G., Zhang, C., Wu, M., Wu, S., & Liu, Q. (2014). Research progress of natural antioxidants in foods for the treatment of diseases. Food Science and Human Wellness, 3(3–4), 110–116. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fshw.2014.11.00
Traber, M. G., & Stevens, J. F. (2011). Vitamins C and E: beneficial effects from a mechanistic perspective. Free Radical Biology & Medicine, 51(5), 1000–1013. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.freeradbiomed.2011.05.017
Turner, E. R., Luo, Y., & Buchanan, R. L. (2020). Microgreen nutrition, food safety, and shelf life: A review. Journal of Food Science, 85(4), 870–882. https://doi.org/10.1111/1750-3841.15049
