Microgreens: Small in size, colossal in flavor

My friend Gretchen pulled a pinch of wood sorrel (pictured below) from the forest floor, and popped it into her mouth. "What are you doing?" I asked. She held out a few tender pieces between her fingers. "Wood sorrel, try it." she said. 

There was a burst of flavor - it tasted like the skin of a ripe concord grape, mixed with lemon. I couldn't believe something that small could hold so much flavor. Now I eat it whenever I find it in a safe place. Safe as in: a yard without dogs (because pee) or around sidewalks (because pee).

My son and I are pretty passionate about sharing this secret with others. (Thank you Gretchen!) Oh the frustration we feel when someone is too chicken to try it!

Microgreens are often touted as a health food, but it overshadows the avalanche of flavor. Unlike most lettuces, which tend to be mild, they can be spicy, herbal, peppery (like arugula), lemony or earthy. I frequently buy spicy microgreens at the farmers market, since grocery stores tend to be late to the game. Sprinkled upon a salad, scrambled eggs, sandwiches, grilled fish or tacos, they add another level to everything they touch. 

Below is a quick guide of the type of microgreens to look for when shopping, whether at a farmer's market, online, or a health food store. If you're lucky, maybe you'll find a major chain that isn't late to the party. 

Peppery microgreens

• Nastrurtium (pictured above - it also makes a beautiful plant!)
• Arugula
• Red "Rambo" radish
• Garden cress

Lemony microgreens

• Wood sorrel (grows wild everywhere!)
• Lemon basil
• Red-veined sorrel
• Lemon balm
• Gem marigold

Herbal microgreens

• Dill (yes, that dill - fresh sprigs beat the dried spice any day!)
• Monogerm cilantro
• Anise hyssop
• Red Rubin basil

Earthy microgreens

• Alfalfa sprouts (with hummus on whole wheat ...just sayin')
• Sunflower
• Broccoli sprouts
• Curly Kale
• Bull's blood beet