Corn microgreens, commonly referred to as popcorn shoots, make an incredibly nutritious and flavorful addition to any meal. From salads, sandwiches and wraps to smoothies they add sweet crunchiness and an abundance of vitamins and minerals – including calcium, magnesium, iron and chlorophyll as well as antioxidants which promote immune health and help decrease risk for chronic illnesses.
Popcorn shoots (botanically known as Zea mays) are an edible microgreen grown from flint corn kernels. Popular among high-end chefs due to their sweet-nutty flavor and distinct crunch texture, popcorn shoots make an ideal addition to salads, sandwiches and wraps – they even pair nicely with ingredients such as grilled sweet corn, cherry tomatoes or lola rosa lettuce for an unforgettable dining experience!
Homegrown microgreens can bring the farm right into the kitchen! Easy and fast to cultivate, harvesting microgreens takes only 7 days from seedling to harvesting! Plus they contain more essential vitamins than their full-grown counterparts!
Growing corn microgreens is an easy and rewarding process. To get started, pre-sprout your seeds. This involves adding them to a pre-moistened seed starting mix and letting them soak for 8-12 hours; this step provides moisture and nutrients necessary for successful plant development.
Once your seeds have been soaked, place them into a seed tray or other container and cover with lid or piece of foil for up to a week in an ideal dark environment. Make sure to check daily to see if germination occurs – once sprouting occurs they can be moved outside or under grow lights for optimal growth.
Once your sprouts are ready to harvest, rinse and trim the leaves away from their stems before placing in an airtight container in your fridge for up to one week – this is ideal for keeping them crisp but they can also be enjoyed right away as an irresistibly delicious snack!
Popcorn microgreens are an abundant source of essential vitamins A, B, C and E as well as calcium, magnesium and other vital minerals such as zinc. Not only that, they’re packed with anti-inflammatory benefits that can boost immune health while supporting bone health as well as being easily integrated into dishes or used to make homemade salad dressing or add sweetness and crunchiness to a smoothie! Regardless of how you decide to enjoy these powerhouse greens – their nutritional benefits are unending!