Frequently Asked Questions
In this section, we’ll address some of the frequently asked questions we receive on a daily basis. If you have any questions that are not mentioned below, please reach out to us through our contact page and we’ll respond in a jiffy. 🙂
Before we get into our list, we must address the question we receive the most which is “Why do my microgreens smell?”. The bottom line is this; Microgreens are very potent vegetables. Therefore, the normal produce smells you’re used to are intensified. Think 40x more nutrients equals 40x more scent. Broccoli happens to smell the strongest but it’s also our most popular microgreen due to the high amount of Sulforaphane which is natures most powerful compound to fight against our most common diseases.
For questions please contact us directly 208-296-3242
What is that white stuff at the base of the stems?
This is by far, one of the most frequently asked questions we receive. The short answer is, it’s not mold. Those are called micro root hairs, a normal horticultural phenomenon with hydroponic microgreens. The plants use these microscopic hairs to wick up moisture to feed itself. With proper care, your microgreens should not develop mold or rot. If mold does appear it will usually appear as a small ball of fuzz higher and closer to the leaves of the microgreens. Rot is usually brown and slimy. Gross! We dedicated a page on our website to talk more about this question so you can educate yourself on the difference between mold and micro root hairs. Go check it out here ====> Microgreen Mold or Microgreen Root Hairs?
How should I cut my microgreens?
We recommend cutting your microgreens with a sharp scissor roughly 3/8″ above the pad or just above the micro root hairs (white fuzzy stuff). This reduces waste so you get the most out of your microgreens purchase. There are plenty of nutrients in those stems. So don’t just consume the leaves of your microgreens!
When will I receive my order once it is placed?
1) Our delivery days are on Tuesday and Thursday. You’ll receive a confirmation email where we will notify you of your subscription. We will also include a delivery date for your order.
2) We will begin seeding your microgreens 10 days before delivery. Yes, we’re growing microgreens just for you! This ensures that you always receive the freshest “Living” microgreens with every order. After your seeds are sowed, we’ll reach out to you by email notifying and confirming delivery date. Believe us, it’s worth the wait!
3) If you’re a commercial client, please call us for lead times and delivery dates for large orders.
Thanks!
Can I cook with microgreens?
No. You cannot cook your microgreens. Since these little greens are still in their infancy, if you subject them to high heat, they will quickly break down and lose all of their nutrients. Therefore, we recommend adding them to your dish once it’s ready to be served. If you’re having hot soup, drop your microgreens in right before you’re about to eat. This is ok. It will still retain all of their nutrients because it’s not actually being cooked.
Are they organic?
We are not certified organic growers. Our growing method is considered organic because we don’t use any fertilizers, pesticides or soil that might be contaminated. Plus we only use Non-GMO seeds and purified water. So technically, it is organic growing, BUT not every seed we purchase is organic. Some of the seed varieties are not available as organic. We try our best to only purchase organic seeds but even if they are not organic, rest knowing that they are all Non-GMO seeds grown in an organic way! So it’s as close to organic as you can possibly get. It’s actually considered veganic.
How do I know if my microgreens are spoiled because I've had them for too long?
There are a few ways to tell that your microgreens are about to expire and should be either thrown away.
1) The leaves begin to shrivel up. Once you see this happening, it means the water content of the microgreens is no longer existent. Basically, they are losing their nutrients. You can still consume them at this stage but they won’t taste as fresh or provide that nutritional punch that you’re looking for.
2) They begin to smell really bad. As with all produce, once they start to decay, they give off a foul odor. Keep in mind, that some microgreens don’t smell that great, to begin with. For instance, take broccoli. It’s one of the most powerful microgreens but the smell isn’t much to be desired. So don’t think it’s bad just because it smells a bit. You should be able to smell the difference of decaying produce and ones that just don’t smell great based on the particular variety.
3) The stems become mushy. This is usually where decay begins. Too much moisture can decay any produce so when watering your grow pad, make sure not to submerge it up to the stems. Only the bottom of the grow pad should be in the water.
What if I am not home when you deliver?
We will contact you will a delivery date and timeframe. If you will not be home at that time, please leave a cooler with icepack outside your doorstep that the microgreens can be left in safely to remain cool. You are responsible to assure that there is adequate space for the microgreens or the delivery will not be left and you will be asked to pick up your weekly microgreens.
Do you carry Microgreens on hand if I call?
Sometimes we have some leftover from events, we do not grow extra to carry stock on hand. This is why we ask that you order in advance through the one time or subscription program.
How long do microgreens stay fresh?
It all depends on the variety and how strict you follow our care instructions. Typically, microgreens can remain fresh from 7-10 days. Here’s a link to our Microgreens Care Guide.
Can I cancel my subscription order?
Of course, you can! You can manage your subscription by logging in with the “My Account” link. Your username and password is the one you created when you registered on the website. All subscription orders must be cancelled 14 days in advance. Once you cancel, we will still deliver one last order after your cancelation since we are ten days behind the ordering date.
Do microgreens really have the health benefits that you state on your website?
Absolutely! If you research the health benefits of microgreens, you’ll find a plethora of studies that show how powerful these little greens are. Think about it. These are just the small version of the larger plant but with up to 40x more nutrients! So whenever you read about the health benefits of other vegetables, it applies to microgreens as well! Please keep in mind, these are not our claims and we do not, in any way, say that these are miracle greens that can cure everything. We use widely available scientific studies to make our own assumptions based on the facts. We highly recommend you do your own research before making a purchase so you fully understand what microgreens are.
Is it ok if I cut them and store them in ziplock sandwich bags or containers?
Yes, you can cut your microgreens and store them in ziplock bags or Tupperware containers. When putting them in bags, make sure the microgreens are dry and you press out as much air as possible. This will keep them fresher, longer.
With that said, we don’t recommend cutting your microgreens and storing them in this fashion. You just purchased “living” microgreens that have all of the nutrients mother nature put in them. Once you cut your microgreens, they begin to lose their nutritional value. This goes for all vegetables. That’s why we chose to deliver our microgreens still alive so you can harvest and eat them with the maximum health benefits they offer.
Do microgreens need to be washed before eating them?
According to the USDA (United States Agriculture Department), it is recommended that all produce should be rinsed before consumption. Our microgreens are grown in a sterile environment, so we feel rinsing is not mandatory. But if you feel more comfortable rinsing your microgreens before consumption, please do so. Just make sure to give them a very quick rinse with filtered water. Try not to soak your microgreens when washing them. Keep in mind that our microgreens are grown in purified water. So, if you do not have filtered water in your home, you will be introducing chlorine and other toxic chemicals to your microgreens before consumption. You don’t want that!
Can I dehydrate my microgreens and put them in smoothies?
Yes. We actually recommend dehydrating microgreens if you have some leftover and they look like they’re about to spoil. Smoothies with an added spoonful of microgreens powder can really pack a healthy punch!
Can microgreens be frozen?
Yes, you can freeze microgreens, but it is not recommended. When you freeze any plants or vegetables, they can lose 40% to 60% of their nutrients! Therefore, we highly recommend dehydrating your microgreens instead. Dehydrating results in a nutrient loss of only 3-5% and retains flavors better than canning or freezing. You can use the dehydrated microgreens in smoothies or sprinkle on your food for an extra kick of flavor and nutrients. You can purchase an inexpensive dehydrator such as the Nesco Snackmaster Pro which sells on Amazon for roughly $60. This is the one we personally use and it works great! The Nesco dehydrator has the added option of purchasing extra trays to increase its capacity if needed.
What if there is not a cooler left outside?
Delivery will not be made and you will be required to pick up the microgreens.
