Why Microgreens Are a Superfood (and Why Itsy Bitsy Veggie Co. is Your Go-To Source)

Why Microgreens Are a Superfood (and Why Itsy Bitsy Veggie Co. is Your Go-To Source)

In a world where wellness trends come and go, microgreens have proven they’re more than a fad — they’re a powerhouse superfood that packs nutrition, flavor, and freshness into every bite. At The Itsy Bitsy Veggie Co., we believe microgreens aren’t just toppings — they’re essential ingredients. Whether you’re trying to boost your health, liven up your meals, or simply eat more greens, microgreens make it easy. Here’s why.

What Makes Microgreens a Superfood?

Microgreens are so nutrient dense because they’re harvested at the earliest stage of a plant’s life — just after the cotyledon leaves emerge and sometimes just as the first true leaves appear. At this stage, the plant has concentrated all its available energy and nutrients to support rapid growth, resulting in an incredibly rich nutrient profile in a small package. Since they don’t have to support a large plant structure yet, their nutritional compounds are more bioavailable and potent.

Microgreens are the young seedlings of vegetables and herbs, typically harvested just 7–10 days after germination. Despite their tiny size, these greens often contain up to 40x more nutrients than their mature counterparts. They’re rich in vitamins (like A, C, K, and E), antioxidants, and essential minerals, all of which contribute to immune support, heart health, bone strength, and detoxification.

Some key nutritional highlights across microgreens include:

  • Sulforaphane (found in broccoli microgreens) for cancer-fighting potential.
  • Vitamin C (abundant in red cabbage and radish) for immune support.
  • Iron and Magnesium (high in amaranth and sunflower) for energy and metabolism.
  • Folate and Fiber for digestive and cellular health.

The best part? They taste amazing and come in a wide range of flavors — spicy, nutty, sweet, earthy, and everything in between.

Why Choose The Itsy Bitsy Veggie Co.?

We’re a woman-owned, family-run microgreen farm based in Willowick, Ohio. Our grow room is a 10x14 foot vertical farming setup inside our basement, using filtered water, daily sanitation practices, and lots of love. We started this journey in spring 2023 and have grown our way into homes, restaurants, and retail shops across Northeast Ohio.

Here’s what makes us different:

  • Grown to Order: Freshness matters. Our greens are harvested just before delivery.
  • Diverse Blends: We grow over 20 individual varieties and offer curated blends to make healthy eating easy and exciting.
  • Sustainably Operated: From using reusable packaging to composting our scraps through local chicken keepers, we care about our planet.
  • Community Focused: You can find us at local farmers markets, pop-ups, and partnering with chefs who love putting our greens on the plate.
  • Chemical-Free Promise: We never use chemicals or pesticides in our products or grow room — just clean practices, natural methods, and lots of care.

Our Microgreen Blends

Every blend we offer is thoughtfully crafted for flavor, texture, nutrition, and color. Some highlights:

  • Fiesta Blend: A zesty combo of radish, cabbage, cilantro, and mustard — perfect for tacos and burritos.
  • Golden Mustard Blend: Sweet cabbage meets spicy mustard for a bold, flavorful crunch.
  • Mellow Microgreen Mix: Broccoli, turnip, and kohlrabi for a mild, kid-friendly blend.
  • Zesty Power Punch: Sweet cabbage and spicy mustard that kicks up sandwiches and salads.
  • Smoothie Blend: Broccoli, kale, and melon for a nutrient-packed, naturally sweet smoothie addition.

Plus, our Farmer’s Choice Blend gives you a surprise mix every week — always fresh, always rotating.

Meet the Microgreens

Every microgreen has a story. Here’s our current full lineup:

  • Alfalfa — Mild, nutty, slightly sweet; high in vitamin K and folate.
  • American Flag Leek — Mild onion flavor; rich in vitamins A, C, and K.
  • Arugula — Bold, peppery; great source of calcium and potassium.
  • Basil - Lemon — Bright citrus aroma and flavor.
  • Basil - Cinnamon — Sweet with a hint of spice; unique and warming.
  • Basil - Dark Opal — Floral, sweet, and slightly clove-like.
  • Basil - Genovese — Classic sweet basil flavor; great for Italian dishes.
  • Basil - Italian — Bold, fragrant, and peppery.
  • Basil - Red Rubin — Mildly sweet with a rich purple hue.
  • Broccoli — Crisp, fresh, loaded with sulforaphane.
  • Brussels Sprout — Sweet, nutty; packed with fiber and detoxifying compounds.
  • Buckwheat — Tart and lemony; rich in magnesium and rutin.
  • Carrot — Lightly sweet and earthy; high in beta-carotene and antioxidants.
  • Cilantro — Bold and citrusy; supports digestion and heavy metal detox.
  • Collard — Earthy and tender; full of calcium and vitamin A.
  • Cress — Bold and spicy; high in vitamin C.
  • Fennel — Mild licorice flavor; good for digestion and breath freshening.
  • Golden Acre Cabbage — Buttery and mild; great for beginners.
  • Melon (Cantaloupe) — Refreshing and sweet; boosts skin and immunity.
  • Nasturtium — Spicy, floral; known for antibacterial properties.
  • Rainbow Radish — Spicy with colorful stems; high in antioxidants.
  • Rambo Radish — Vibrant purple, bold flavor; aids digestion.
  • Red Cabbage — Sweet and earthy; up to 6x more vitamin C than mature cabbage.
  • Red Garnet Amaranth — Earthy and beet-like; rich in iron and calcium.
  • Red Russian Kale — Mild and nutty; packed with vitamins A, C, and K.
  • Red Tatsoi Mustard — Spicy and tangy; high in calcium and iron.
  • Sorrel (Red Veined) — Tart and lemony; high in vitamin C and great for detox.
  • Speckled Pea — Classic sweet pea flavor; high in protein and vitamin C.
  • Spicy Oriental Mustard — Zingy and bold; supports respiratory health.
  • Sunflower — Nutty, crunchy; high in vitamin E and protein.
  • Turnip — Mild and sweet; supports digestion and immunity.
  • Wasabi Mustard — Sharp and spicy; anti-inflammatory and antioxidant rich.

You can see even more details on our product pages here.

Grow at Home with Our Microgreen Kits

Looking to bring the joy of microgreens into your own kitchen? Our Grow at Home Microgreens Kit makes it easy, fun, and affordable to grow your own fresh, nutrient-packed greens year-round. Perfect for beginners, kids, or anyone who loves fresh greens, each kit includes:

  • Two 10x10-inch trays (one for planting, one for covering during germination)
  • Two jute hydroponic grow mats for soil-free growth
  • Two seed packets of your choice (choose your favorite varieties!)
  • A convenient spray bottle for easy watering

How It Works: Just place a jute mat in the tray, sprinkle seeds over it, mist with water using the included spray bottle, cover with the second tray, and add a small household item as a weight (we include suggestions!). In just a few days, your seeds will sprout and be ready to uncover and grow under light!

Our step-by-step instructions are simple and kid-friendly, making this kit a great educational activity.

Refill Options:

  • Single Refill Pack: $4 (includes 1 jute mat + 1 seed pack)
  • Triple Refill Pack: $11 (includes 3 jute mats + 3 seed packs)

Kit Price: $20 Order online or pick one up at our next market event. We also ship!

How to Use Microgreens

Microgreens are incredibly versatile. Here are a few ways we use them at home:

  • Add to eggs, wraps, and sandwiches for a flavor boost.
  • Top soups, stews, and bowls with a handful of greens.
  • Toss them into salads, smoothies, and even desserts.
  • Use spicy blends to wake up tacos, nachos, and burgers.
  • Mellow blends are perfect for kids and picky eaters.

Whether you’re a home cook, smoothie enthusiast, or pro chef, microgreens are a simple way to add nutrition and color to your plate.

Final Thoughts

Microgreens aren’t just a trend — they’re a lifestyle. And at The Itsy Bitsy Veggie Co., we’re here to help you enjoy them with ease, joy, and confidence. If you haven’t tried our blends yet, this is your sign. Fresh, local, and grown with love.

Shop our blends, visit us at a market, and stay tuned for more tips on how to enjoy your greens every day.

Let’s grow something great together.

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