Can You Eat Lentil Microgreens? 13 Reasons Why You Should

Microgreens are just regular vegetable plants that are harvested just before the first true leaves begin to mature. They have become a popular dish all over the world and more and more people are taking them up as a delicacy. Besides their compact and fast-growing nature, what makes them special is the nutrition they pack. One of the more popular microgreens is lentils. By now, you are probably wondering whether you can eat lentil microgreens. Well, I have just the answer for you.

You can eat lentil microgreens. Not only are they delicious and tasty, but they are also rich in vitamins, minerals, and fiber. They are easy to digest, are low in calories, and cheap to grow. They also have numerous health benefits. 

Lentil microgreens are easy to grow and are therefore a good choice if you are looking to try them out. In this article, we will have an in-depth discussion about whether you can eat lentil microgreens, several reasons why you should eat them, and how to grow them at home. So read on to find out more! This will surely be an exciting read for you.

Can You Eat Lentil Microgreens?

In recent years, microgreens have made an appearance in our daily lives and if you are a foodie, chances are that you’ve had a chance to taste these bad boys. They have become popular the world over and now more than ever, people at home are taking up growing microgreens to make them part of their everyday life.

Microgreens are not only chosen for their habit of germinating fairly quickly, but they are also selected for the flavor punch they pack. Quite often, it is as vibrant and strong as its mature vegetable counterparts.

Seeds store a lot of nutrients in their tiny hulls so they can grow healthily. By harvesting them at the microgreen level, you can take advantage of the stored nutrients. Sometimes, they can give us 40 times more nutrients compared to when they’re fully mature. They are also easy and cheap to grow which makes growing them feasible.

Now we all know there are various types of microgreens. The most common ones are cauliflower, broccoli, cabbage, radish, watercress, lettuce, arugula, dill, celery, carrot, among many others. More often than not people will prefer these.

There is however one that is wrongly overlooked. I’m talking about lentil microgreens. Perhaps people ignore lentil microgreens because they are unsure whether they are edible. If you are reading this article, then you are probably one such person.

Well, lentil microgreens can be eaten. They pack a powerful flavor and are extremely tasty. They are grassy, crunchy, refreshing, and filling. The good thing about them is that they can be used for several dishes including salads, sandwiches and much more. In addition to all this, lentil microgreens have numerous health benefits and are therefore a good addition to your meals.

It should however be noted that lentil microgreens should be eaten in moderation. This is because some people may not respond well to eating a lot of them. Some people may also have an issue eating them raw. If this is the case, consider blanching them.

13 Reasons Why You Should

As we all know, there are lots of benefits of eating microgreens. Scientists view microgreens as a functional food. This means that they can provide crucial nutrients. Some people also call them a superfood. Microgreens can play a role in both sweet and savory dishes. In addition to their nutritional value, they can add texture, flavor, and color to dishes.

The same holds for lentil microgreens. Over the years, they have become a popular choice of microgreens owing to the many benefits that can be obtained from consuming them. If you are reading this article, you probably have reservations about eating lentil microgreens. Well, I’m here to tell you that you can. And not just that, there’s a lot you can gain from eating them.

In this section, we are going to discuss some of the reasons why you should eat lentil microgreens. Hopefully, by the end of this, you will have changed your mind.

So, why should you eat microgreens? What are the benefits of eating microgreens?

1. Easy to digest

Lentils contain phytic acid. This can be difficult to digest. By growing lentils into microgreens, you neutralize the phytic acid. This makes it easier to digest them.

2. They have increased nutritional content

When you grow lentils, you actually kick start the germination process. This changes the composition of the lentils. Growing them into microgreens increases the number of vitamins and minerals in the lentils.

Lentil microgreens contain a huge concentration of vitamin B, C, and E all of which are important to your overall body health. They also contain carotene, folate, and potassium

3. They are low in calories

Lentil microgreens are naturally low in calories. As opposed to other protein sources like meat and poultry, they have no fat. They are therefore a good choice if you are trying to lose weight or trying to maintain a healthy weight.

1. They are cheap to grow

Lentil microgreens are easy to grow at home in a confined space. A small outlay can provide you with a significant return in terms of bulk and nutrients. They take a few days to grow so it’s possible to have a steady source of microgreens. What’s even better is that growing them isn’t that costly.

2. They are packed with fiber

Lentil microgreens are full of fiber and are therefore a good addition to your diet.

3. They taste good

Lentils have an earthy and slightly peppery taste that combines well with fresh greens, herbs, and tomatoes. They can be eaten raw or blanched for a minute.

They are grassy, crunchy, and refreshing. They add texture, flavor, and color to dishes.

4. They help stabilize blood sugar

Lentil microgreens can slow digestion and release of sugars found in starch into the bloodstream. This will ultimately reduce blood glucose levels.

5. They lower cholesterol

A daily serving of lentil microgreens can lead to a reduction in low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol by 5%. So eating lentil microgreens can help lower cholesterol levels significantly.

6. They boost metabolism

Lentil microgreens are a great source of protein, fiber, and resistant starch which is a healthy carb that burns fat and boosts metabolism.

1. They can lower the risk of cancer

As we have already mentioned, lentil microgreens are high in fiber. This may help reduce your risk of developing cancer.

2. They can help reduce constipation

Like most legumes, lentils have sugars that create intestinal gas. Growing them into microgreens helps break down some of those sugars and therefore reduce constipation.

3. They can help lower blood pressure

As we have mentioned, lentil microgreens help in lowering cholesterol, they are key in helping lower blood pressure. Lentil microgreens also help in relaxing cardiovascular muscles.

4. They can help in bone health

Lentil microgreens help in calcium absorption. This helps to reinforce bone integrity and help improve bone health.

All in all, lentil microgreens have numerous health benefits. Including them in your diet is therefore a good idea. You simply can never go wrong with them. So why not try them out and see just how good they are for you!

How To Grow Lentil Sprouts and Microgreens at Home

Growing lentil microgreens at home is quite easy and inexpensive. They have the most variety when it comes to microgreens. You can find different colors and sizes of lentils to grow microgreens from at home.

In this section, we will go through the simple procedure of growing lentil sproutsat home. So read on to find out more.

Some of the things you may require include water, dried lentils, and a jar. Follow these steps to grow them.

• Measure a cup of lentils so that they are your desired quantity. Make sure you remove any stones and debris.
• Rinse the lentil seeds really well in cool water and then place them in a large bowl of water. Let them soak for 8-12 hours (overnight).
• The following day, drain off the water and rinse the lentils. After rinsing them again, make sure all the water is drained.
• Transfer the seeds into the jar and fill it no more than 1/3 of the way so that there’s adequate space for growth.
• Cover the opening of the jar with some cheesecloth. Using a snug rubber band to hold it in place.
• Over the next few days, you’ll have to rinse the seeds with fresh water. Just fill the jar and drain it through the cheesecloth twice a day. If you notice slime, just give it a few extra rinses and you’ll get it all out.
• They don’t need light so you can place your jar in a low light location.
• Keep rinsing them and draining them for 2-3 days. Discontinue rinsing when they reach the desired length and flavor. Once you see green leaves poke out and begin to unfold, they’re ready for harvest.
• You can taste them as they grow and use them when you prefer their taste and texture. You can keep any leftovers in the refrigerator.

How to Grow Lentil Microgreens

Now, let’s talk about growing lentil microgreens. First of all, you need to soak lentils seeds overnight. Then rinse them really well. Next, you need to prepare some tray, soil (because seeds that need to be soaked grow best on the soil. We have tested many many times different mediums and soil was the best each time) and spray bottle.

Place soil in the tray. It’s best to have a try with holes, like this one, that we are using. Then place soil in the tray (around half the tray) and flatten the soil as much as possible. Then place rinsed seeds on the soil, mist them very well and cover them with a thin layer of the soil. And mist again and cover the tray with some black dome.

Repeat the process each day. Around 4 to 5 day, sprouts will be big enough to uncover the tray and place the tray under the lights or near some window. Start water microgreens, we do recommend from below. And around 8-9 days, lentil microgreens will be big enough and ready to eat.

All in all, lentil microgreens pack a lot of flavors and have numerous health benefits. So if you had misgivings about eating them, hopefully, this article has shed light on why you should try them out.