How Long To Keep Microgreens In The Dark

Microgreens are the latest tendency in salads, sandwiches, and soups. They're likewise an fantabulous improver to a healthy smoothie. If you've been growing your own microgreens at abode, you know how apace they can go bad if non properly stored. This article focuses on how to store microgreens.

Virtually of the fourth dimension, we can't terminate a whole tray of microgreens right abroad and have to store them in the fridge. These short-life and perishable crops are high in nutrition when freshly harvested. If didn't store properly, they will be spoiled very quickly in a affair of hours.

That's why people suggesting to swallow them raw. Simply, are raw microgreens really safe to eat?

Still, the best way is to cut equally many every bit you lot need while leaving the rest intact. To extend its shelf-life, whether for your own use or microgreens business, below I will share a few tips with you to store microgreens correctly.

cutting your greens — *These outdoor sunflower microgreens are shorter and thicker.*

4 Tips in How to Store Microgreens

Tip #1 – The good cut with ceramic

The first tip for you is to use a ceramic knife or ceramic scissors like this one here when harvesting the microgreens.

Unlike metals, a ceramic knife is lighter, non-toxic, and chemically inert to microgreens. That's to say, it doesn't transfer ions to the cutting end of the microgreens, which can lead to a faster oxidation process (turning brownish). When using scissors that they are sharp so that they are non crushing the establish as they cutting. This volition prevent the bruising of the plant every bit you cut, preserving its life.

For large-scale growers, I detailed other handy tools hither to assistance y'all harvest the microgreens 3x quicker.

Tip #2 – Cool down and sterilize

Next, set up yourself a sink of ice-common cold water, and mix one teaspoon (200 ppm) of regular bleach into the water. So, wash the microgreens briefly in it. Besides, you lot tin can utilise the food-course iii% hydrogen peroxide to accomplish the same event.

This step is to irksome down the biological processes in plant and also to sterilize the microgreens from mold problems and so to have a longer storage time.

washing the greens is one way how to store microgreens — *Recall to wash them throughout to remove the dirt and stuff!*

Tip #iii – Airflow and moisture

When storing microgreens in the refrigerator, do not utilize a sealed handbag. Microgreens degrade and spoil quicker nether that condition. To proceed them as fresh every bit possible, air circulation and moisture are both the important factors likewise. So, you should apply an opened container instead.

Meanwhile, you tin lay a piece of wet paper towel on the container and cover another one on pinnacle of the microgreens.

Also, It's important to know that light exposure while storing microgreen in the fridge tin accelerate the deterioration, according to a report [ii].

And lastly…

Tip #4 – Desirable temperature

Commonly, the microgreens can be kept in the fridge for a week or so. That's said, your refrigerator should be maintained at a temperature of ~four°C (or 40°F). Do not put them in the freezer.

According to a inquiry study [1], it'due south found that microgreens that were stored at 40°F can final anywhere from 14 – 21 days, while those that were stored at 50°F would take a shelf life reduction to 7 – 14 days. Out of others, radish microgreens take a better shelf life.

Constantly opening and closing the refrigerator can fluctuate the temperature besides. And then, if yous find some white spots, foul scent, or slimy touch, just throw them away.

Eating spoiled microgreens can cause serious health bug. Otherwise, read this 11 perfect manner to swallow microgreens.

I know yous have other tips for me also, delight let me know below.

Continue reading: See how I step-past-step to abound my microgreens.