Are Micro Leaves The Next Super Vegetable?

Israeli company 2BFresh believes that the combination of a positive nutrient profile, functionality, and increased availability mean microgreens are set to be the new superfood on the block. Microgreens (or micro leaves) are young sprouts of seeds grown from a variety of edible plants harvested 7-20 days after the seedling emerges.

According to Avner Shohet, CEO and Co-Owner of 2BFresh, part of Teshuva Agricultural Projects, at this point in the plants life-cycle micro greens have the highest proportion of vitamins and minerals to weight. As plants age this ratio decreases, Shohet told FoodNavigator during a visit to one of the company's greenhouse facilities in Israel, which cover 1.6 hectares. 

Small but strong 2BFresh cited 2015 research finding micro lettuce to be "significantly richer in minerals including iron, manganese, zinc, selenium, and molybdenum. Further studies confirmed similar results in the mineral content of micro broccoli and spinach.”  

"These products are so healthy, they really should be more accessible," said Shohet. "Microgreens are a premium product and more importantly they are healthy.” 

2BFresh is working to expand the availability of microgreens and build awareness of the properties of young plants.
 

Publication date: 4/17/2018