by Melissa Deng*
If someone offered you a choice between a regular food and a “superfood,” which one would you pick? Would your decision change if the superfood cost more? Maybe you would be more inclined to buy it because it seems like the healthier choice. I know I have grappled with that dilemma with microgreens––young seedlings of various vegetables and other plants, including broccoli and kale.
Even just a few years ago, I only knew of microgreens as that extra sprinkle on a sandwich, or a purely aesthetic touch adorning the infamous avocado toasts when they were all the rage. But about a year ago, I began seeing more on various social media platforms about microgreens being the next “superfood,” a term which invokes the elevation of microgreens into a higher echelon of food. That got me interested, and microgreens are now always the star of my grocery list. It seems like I’m not the only one. A 2023 study noted that “in recent years, the demand of microgreens has increased due to their nutritional as well as phytochemical components,” which is reflected in the fact that microgreens are now often sold out when I go to the grocery store.
Continue reading “Are “Superfoods” Really the Superheroes of the Food World? “
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