Where did this idea of juicing come from, and can you juice microgreens?
My favorite salad restaurant had just moved to a new location. When I walked in, they had divided the space. On the right, I ordered my salad. New was the juice bar on the left.
What was it about juicing? Was it the convenience of getting your nutrients? Did juicing provide more? As I walked up to the juice counter, I noticed my host adding what looked like microgreens.
For two centuries, doctors have known that drinking fresh citrus juices prevented scurvy, a disease resulting from a lack of vitamin C (ascorbic acid).
But why the new interest in fresh juicing?
Because science has “caught up.”
Sure, juices have most of the vitamins, minerals and phytonutrients found in fruits, veggies, nuts and berries.
However, microgreens give the same important micronutrients plus antioxidants in quantities 5 to 40 times more than mature plants.
You can add them as a garnish, add them to your ingredients, or you can chuck a boxful or two into the juicer, stems and leaves—hundreds of recipes.
But not all juices are not equal. Juicing fruits and vegetables sieve off the fiber content.
If you prefer the pulp, then try a blender and make yourself a smoothie.
Can you juice microgreens? This post will answer the question and more.
HOW TO MAKE THE PERFECT SMOOTHIE AT HOME | Amy Keating, Consumer Reports
You can continue reading the article below, or download the PDF version:
A Superfood: Microgreens over Mature Plants
In a research study for the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Jennifer Di Noia of William Paterson University, defined “Powerhouse Fruits and Vegetables.”
Powerhouse Fruits and Vegetables
She classified “17 nutrients of public health importance per the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations and Institute of Medicine.”
The 17 Nutrients of Public Health Importance:
Potassium
Fiber
Protein
Calcium
Iron
Folate
Zinc
Vitamin A
Thiamin (vitamin B1)
Riboflavin (vitamin B2)
Niacin (vitamin B3)
Vitamin B6
Vitamin B12
Vitamin C
Vitamin D
Vitamin E
Vitamin K
Where do you find the highest concentration of these nutrients?
Microgreens, the embryonic leaf in seed-bearing plants (cotyledons) of many vegetables, herbs, and flowers, is now a worldwide farming phenomenon that studies show are a dense source of nutrition.
And, we can produce them in just about any place you can think of.
And we know from research that like fresh herbs, microgreens contain large amounts of vitamins A, C, and K, and polyphenols.
Microgreens are four to 20 times as nutrient-dense as the mature plants. One ounceof broccoli, kale, and cabbage microgreen mix contains the amount of sulforaphane found in 1.5 pounds of raw broccoli.
And according to the USDA, a 100g serving of sunflower and basil microgreen mix delivers micronutrients sure to supercharge any squeezed beverage.
The same size serving of sunflower and beet microgreens contains similar amounts of each nutrient but provides more iron, at 23.9 mg.
The key benefits of each microgreen vary.
But why bother spending more time, and more money, juicing mature leafy greens?
Eating a variety of microgreens will supply more of these helpful nutrients when combined with the best fruit.
When N. W. Walker, an Italian immigrant to the US, invented the modern juicing machine back in the 1930s, the Norwalk Hydraulic Press Juicer, scientists of the day thought he was a quack.
But Walker was a pioneer in the fresh raw vegetable and fruit juices field. He lived to be 99!
Jack Lalanne, the American fitness great who died at 94, popularized juicing in the 1970s and 80s.
And those of you old enough to remember, in1993 a Korean man named Mr. Kim invented the first twin gear juicer called The Green power Juicer.
So, what’s your choice?
Do you want to skip the pulp and squeeze it till it’s dry?
If you want a smooth and pulp-free juice, for optimal digestion and nutrient absorption, then get yourself one of these:
The Norwalk Juicer (still available 90 years later!)
PURE Juicer
The Champion Juicer (with homogenizing nozzle) and separate hydraulic press
If you want a juicer that extracts enough juice (masticating juicer) and preserves enzyme activity, try these:
The Champion
Angel Juicer
Green Star
Green Power
Solo Star
Hurom Slow Juicer
Omega Juicers (masticating models only)
And if you’re a serious juicer, avoid these Centrifugal Juicers.
Jack LaLanne’s Power Juicer
Breville Juice Fountain
Omega (centrifugal models)
Hamilton Beach Juice Extractor
Black & Decker Juice Extractor
“Centrifugal juicers expose the juice to heat and oxygen, killing off the essential healing enzymes in the juice. These juicers have difficulty in juicing leafy greens.”
Okay, I just tossed out my Jack LaLanne Power Juicer that I bought in 2010.
That’s the advice anyway of The Gerson Guide to Juicers. It’s the most concise, brief, and clear description of juicers that I could find out there.
My Two Favorite Microgreen Juicing Recipes
We’re all different. Your body will respond at different times in the day, to different juices.
So, experiment!
Do what your body tells you. If it looks good, drink it. You will get the nutrients either way.
You just spent 60 minutes in the gym working your butt off. As you make it into the kitchen, you feel those aching muscles. This cherry blend is filled with anti-inflammatory micronutrients.
Ahhhhh! Taste that almost sweet and sour flavor. Feel the relief.
Total Time:17 min
Yield:1 cup1x
Ingredients
UnitsScale
1cup Cherries (5 oz juice, 3 oz pulp)
1 Large Apple (2.7 oz of juice, 2 oz pulp)
4oz Box or tray of Arugula Microgreens (2.5 oz juice, 1.5oz pulp)
Instructions
Cut the cherries in half with a sharp knife and remove the seeds.
Wash your microgreens, if it’s already in a “triple washed” package.
Wash the apple thoroughly. Core the apple. Peel it first if you don’t like the skin, Cut into 4-to-8 slices.
Turn on your juicer.
Put your 8 oz glass in place.
Put the apple in immediately. They start oxidizing (turning brown) fast.
Add the microgreens next, then the cherries pieces.
Should take about 1-2 minutes, enough time to clean up.
If you’re just not feeling the juice thing, and Smoothies are for you. Check out the folks at 2BFresh Microgreens and their delicious microgreen smoothies.
Storing Your Juices and Microgreens
Make only as much juice as you can drink at once; harmful bacteria can grow in squeezed juice. The same goes for microgreens. Store in the coldest part of your fridge (35-38 F, not the freezer) for only 2 days.
Hint: Add a drop of lemon to maintain the flavor.
To get the full benefits of fresh juice, drink it within 15-20 minutes.
Another cool way of storing is in a pre-chilled thermos. Great to carry around, if you’re an on the move.
Wrapping up
All the evidence I could find supports the idea that 100% raw juice delivers essential nutrients and phytonutrients.
And when you substitute microgreens for mature plants, you get more nutrients for less time, work, and money.
I’m the co-founder of JPureFarms, a startup. I live in Atlanta, Georgia, and enjoy urban farming, growing and writing about microgreens and their incredible health potential. I love my greens!
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Press Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Microgreens World Receives 2023 Best of Decatur Award
Decatur Award Program Honors the Achievement
DECATUR October 4, 2023 — Microgreens World has been selected for the 2023 Best of Decatur Award in the Information services category by the Decatur Award Program.
Each year, the Decatur Award Program identifies companies that we believe have achieved exceptional marketing success in their local community and business category. These are local companies that enhance the positive image of small business through service to their customers and our community. These exceptional companies help make the Decatur area a great place to live, work and play.
Various sources of information were gathered and analyzed to choose the winners in each category. The 2023 Decatur Award Program focuses on quality, not quantity. Winners are determined based on the information gathered both internally by the Decatur Award Program and data provided by third parties.
About Decatur Award Program
The Decatur Award Program is an annual awards program honoring the achievements and accomplishments of local businesses throughout the Decatur area. Recognition is given to those companies that have shown the ability to use their best practices and implemented programs to generate competitive advantages and long-term value.
The Decatur Award Program was established to recognize the best of local businesses in our community. Our organization works exclusively with local business owners, trade groups, professional associations and other business advertising and marketing groups. Our mission is to recognize the small business community’s contributions to the U.S. economy.
SOURCE: Decatur Award Program
CONTACT:
Decatur Award Program
Email: PublicRelations@citiesawardcompany.com
URL: http://www.citiesawardcompany.com
Discover the Power of Plant-Based Microgreen Sandwiches with Verdant Delights
A PB&J with lettuce? No! That’s peanut butter and jelly (or jam) for my friends in Spain and New Zealand. Well, stop for a few seconds. Creamy peanut butter with some orange marmalade and add a sprinkle of sweet red kale microgreens; I bet the seven-year-old in you will love it. A crunchy sweet and sour delight!
Try it! I dare you. And if you like it, 24 more delights are waiting for you. And if you don’t, check out the table of contents. There is more than one waiting for you. Can’t find sweet kale? How about carrot, beet, or sweet pea microgreens? You won’t be disappointed, I promise.
As my friend Brother Lou of Green Garden Organics, who kindly wrote the Foreword, said, “After three decades of being in the microgreens and sprouts industry – even before the word microgreens became popular – I applaud Andrew with much honor and respect for his work … Thanks for your work and making healthy eating a family and community thing.”
Some microgreens contain up to 40 times more nutrients than regular greens and reduce the need to take vitamin supplements. Microgreens can help to
Reduce the risks associated with chronic diseases,
Increase mental alertness and focus,
Promote quicker healing and recovery,
Improve eyesight and peripheral vision,
Deliver brighter moods and more radiant skin, and
Enhance your sex drive and performance.
So, if you want to get an immediate energy boost, slow the aging process, and boost your lifestyle, consider eating microgreens.
Quick and easy recipes for those days when you’re in a hurry.
Exceptionally light salad recipes with less than 300 calories
Eat them for lunch or as an addition to your evening meal
Find most ingredients at your local farmers’ markets and supermarkets
Nutrition Facts, including calorie count, vitamins, and minerals
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