Microgreens are vegetable greens harvested when one pair of leaves has grown on the cotyledon leaves. They are used as a taste enhancer, nutritious supplement, and aesthetic garnish. Microgreens are young veggies that resemble sprouts but are not the same.
What do Corn Microgreens Taste Like?
Corn, like most microgreens, has a flavor similar to that of its full-grown, green counterparts. It’s one of the tastiest microgreens, especially when made with sweet corn seeds.
Health Benefits of Corn Microgreens
Microgreen sprouts have the same nutrients as a fully formed, mature, green plant, but in higher concentrations. This is because microgreens acquire their nutrition from seeds rather than soil, which is generally deficient in nutrients. In addition, the flavor of the grown plant is frequently retained in these greens.
- Rich in minerals: Calcium and Magnesium are abundant in Corn Microgreen.
- High in Vitamins: Corn Microgreens are rich in vitamins A, B, C, and E.
- Antioxidants: they are rich in antioxidants like ferulic acid, which help in the prevention of cancer.
- Improves immune system: Corn microgreens are also great for strengthening your immune system
- Healthy vision: Corn microgreens contain Beta Carotene which aids in the prevention of degeneration of eye tissue.
- Relieves constipation: They can also help prevent and relieve constipation.
- Glycaemic control: Corn microgreens can assist your body in regulating blood sugar levels.
- Anemia prevention: Corn microgreens are rich in iron, which helps prevent anemia along with vitamin B12.
Corn Microgreens are Easy to Grow
Corn microgreens are easy to grow, but attaining a consistent result can be challenging. Because they require space and not all of the corn will germinate, they tend to grow sparingly.
Below is the estimated timeline for growing Corn microgreen:
- Presoak: 12-24 hours
- Preferred medium: Water, soil, or coconut coir
- Avg. seed weight (10/20 tray): 200 gram
- Germination period (blackout): Day 1-3
- Growth time (sunlight) Day 4-6
- Harvest: Day 7-9
Growing medium: You can grow them in a medium or without one. Water, soil, or other soilless media like coconut coir can all be used.
Here’s how to develop Corn microgreens in a step-by-step manner:
Step 1 – Soaking
Before you plant the corn seeds, you must soak them in water for at least 12 hours. You won’t see them grow like wheatgrass in the end. Make sure the sprouts have enough air circulation and that the cover isn’t closed.
Top Tip: Air circulation is beneficial to the seeds. Keep them in an open area with plenty of ventilation. Indirect sunlight is not a concern prior to the formation of the shoots.
Step 2 – Planting
Corn microgreens thrive in a potting mix with peat moss and vermiculite. Corn microgreens do not thrive in pools of water, so keep that in mind. As a result, you should make your soil around 1-2 inches thick, with holes on the bottom for drainage. Before planting, thoroughly hydrate the soil and make sure there are no puddles.
In a 10X20 tray, you can put as many as 2 cups of seeds; these plants don’t mind being crowded together. The seeds must be covered in the dark once they have been planted.
They’ll have a yellow tint if you keep them dark, and they’ll taste sweet like popcorn. Microgreens are preferred by restaurants and are yellow rather than green.
Step 4 – Watering
Once the plants’ roots have established themselves in the soil, spray them once a day. Then only water the soil, not the plants (bottom watering – make sure the water only touches the roots and not the seed kernels to avoid mold formation).
If there isn’t much dirt visible, fill the drip tray under the planting tray with water so they may get the water they need.
You’ll have to keep an eye on them and water them every day for the following 5 to 9 days.
Top Tip: As your corn shoots emerge, try covering them with dark plastic or other suitable materials. You can also cover your crops by turning a sowing tray upside down and placing it on top of them. This is how most growers get a blanching effect. The blanching process will give your corn shoots a lovely yellow color and make them more appealing.
Avoid exposing the shoots to too much sunshine too soon. If not, the corn shoots will turn green.
The process is finished after a week, and you can remove the lid. However, you must wait another week before picking the corn microgreens. Depending on the flavor you want, harvest them when they reach a height of 2-4 inches.
Step 5 – Harvesting:
Corn sprouts should be a palm breadth tall with light yellow leaves after 6-7 days of growing. Harvesting corn stalks now is the best option because they become more fibrous and bitter as they age (when they grow past 4 inches).
You can harvest the corn shoots all at once or in stages as long as you stay within the small window of time when the sweet flavor is at its peak. If the plant has gone green, it has acquired a bitter flavor.
Step 5 – Storage:
When preparing to use, thoroughly rinse the yellow corn shoots in cold water. After that, you may flavor sandwiches, omelets, smoothies, salads, and just about anything else with your microgreens (okay, maybe not ice cream). Corn shoots should be kept in an air-tight container in the fridge if they haven’t been washed. To absorb extra water, place a paper towel in the container and change it as needed. If you employ this method, your yellow corn microgreens should survive 7-14 days.
What is the Most Significant Advantage of Corn Microgreens?
Corm microgreens have the same nutrients as a fully formed, mature, green plant, but in higher concentrations. This is because microgreens acquire their nutrition from seeds rather than soil, which is generally deficient in nutrients. In addition, the flavor of the grown plant is frequently retained in these greens.
What is the Best Way to Get Rid of Mold on Corn Microgreens?
Mold on microgreens is equally as dangerous as mold on other foods. To avoid this, ensure that all of your equipment is clean before you begin and that there is adequate airflow around your plants.
If your microgreens are tainted with mold, the best thing you can do is chuck them away, sterilize your trays, and fix any problems in your growing space. After that, you’ll be able to re-grow them.
How to Eat Corn Microgreen?
Corn microgreens can be used as a garnish, sandwich filling, or snack. The only thing to keep in mind is that you should not cook them because their nutritious value and flavor will be lost. Once the maize microgreens are tall enough to harvest, cut them as close to the soil as possible.
Bottom Line
It might be difficult to make the decision to live a healthy lifestyle for yourself and your family, but microgreens are a great place to start. These microgreens may be small, but they can easily outweigh their adult plant in terms of nutrition. Microgreens, on the other hand, should be included in and integrated into our culinary culture.
Corn microgreens are among the most popular of all microgreens. They’re easy to cultivate indoors and offer a wonderful pale yellow color that adds a splash of color to any dish or salad. Calcium and magnesium are abundant in corn microgreens, as are vitamins A, B, C, and E, as well as antioxidants. Corn microgreens can aid in the maintenance of a healthy immune system, the prevention of anemia, and the management of diabetes.
It’s important to remember that Corn microgreens should be consumed as soon as they are harvested or should be refrigerated properly. Microgreens can be stored but once cut from the roots, their flavor and nutrients begin to fade. To get the most out of microgreens, consume them within two days of harvesting. It’s appropriate for both adults and kids.
References
R.G. (n.d.-b). How To Grow Corn Microgreens Fast And Easy. Https://Www.Epicgardening.Com/. Retrieved May 31, 2022, from https://www.epicgardening.com/corn-microgreens/
R.T.T. (2022b, April 25). 22 Best Foods That Make You Poop And Relieve Constipation. Https://Www.Stylecraze.Com/. Retrieved May 31, 2022, from https://www.stylecraze.com/articles/foods-that-make-you-poop/
How To Grow Popcorn Microgreens At Home. (n.d.). Https://Floristkid.Com/. Retrieved May 31, 2022, from https://floristkid.com/growing-corn-microgreens/
