Microgreens grower and managing director of Raw Culture farms, Julian Milanesi, described microgreens as young, edible plants harvested at an early stage, typically when they have their first true leaves and are up to three inches tall. He added that in his family home, they love their greens, especially broccoli, and microgreen nutrition is often a topic of discussion.
"They are known for their concentrated flavours, vibrant colours, high nutritional values and sulforaphane," said Julian.
Raw Culture Farms has identified key aspects of microgreens that make them an exciting, innovative category with significant opportunity and potential in the growing industry.
Firstly, microgreens are nutritional powerhouses, where, despite their smaller size, they are rich in nutrients, sulforaphane, macro-elements and micro-elements. They support the immune system, improve digestion, and include various vitamins, minerals and antioxidants. Microgreens also come in various flavours, from spicy to mild, providing versatility and allowing them to be adapted and used for various dishes and industries, particularly in food service such as garnishes, sandwiches, salads, and supermarkets for consumers. Varieties such as arugula, radish, basil and mustard are commonly grown for their versatility of flavour and colour.
The simplicity of growing microgreens and consistent quality and output make them an appealing choice for growers and consumers alike. While they are scalable for businesses to grow within temperature-controlled indoor vertical farms, they are popular with consumers who can grow them in the comfort of their homes and are usually ready to harvest within one to three weeks.
With the increased impacts of climate change affecting the produce industry and growing consciousness for environmentalism and sustainability, microgreens are an attractive growing solution within the industry as they address these concerns specifically.
Growing microgreens requires fewer resources, such as water and space, than fully matured plants. They are often growing in temperature-controlled environments, making them less susceptible to the changing seasons and extreme weather events, making them an eco-friendly choice that can be grown in high volumes.
"If you're interested in growing microgreens, you can start with various seeds, some potting soil, and a shallow container. It's a rewarding and relatively simple way to enjoy fresh, flavorful greens at home."
Julian was motivated to start growing microgreens primarily for his and his family's health. However, this quickly evolved into a passion for sharing the benefits of microgreens for his community and spreading awareness and accessibility to microgreens for the health and sustainability solutions microgreens provide, as well as their versatile flavour profiles, and is now supplying a range of fruit shops and well-known cafes and restaurant around Auckland and is looking to expand to a larger operation soon, and has new technology innovations to introduce to the industry on the horizon.
"Since I was young, I've always been into growing my fruit and vegetables and found it a relaxing hobby. I have also been into automation and technology since I can remember, and growing microgreens allows me to use both my passions."
Julian continued that he is always looking for new ways to improve his growing methods and make things more efficient and better for the environment and the planet. He alluded that he had exciting plans moving forward, driven to reduce the costs of growing microgreens with new technology Raw Culture Farms wants to introduce into New Zealand and grow to reduce the cost and efficiency by up to 40 percent.
