Microgreens are a popular choice for adding flavor, texture, and color to a meal. Beyond that, they come with a host of potential health benefits. But can they also be dehydrated?
Let’s look at how to dehydrate microgreens and if it has any potential benefits.
Also, if you’re someone who likes to cook up unique and flavourful dishes, dried microgreens can come in handy in your recipes. It’s a great idea if you can successfully dry them to surprise your dinner guests.
So, if you’ve ever been curious about dehydrating microgreens, this post will help you decide!
Can You Dry Microgreens?
For those in search of a flavorful and nutritious addition to their culinary repertoire, microgreens can be dried or dehydrated, an age-old technique utilized for centuries. Without the modern-day tools that are commonplace today, food was traditionally dried in the sun’s heat.
The process of drying microgreens is surprisingly easy and allows you to enjoy these flavorful and nutrient-packed greens all year round.
You can dry your microgreens in a food dehydrator, or oven at a low temperature. Once you have harvested your microgreens, rinse them off and pat them dry with a kitchen towel. Spread them out on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and place it in your oven or dehydrator.
When the microgreens are dried and brittle, you can store them in an airtight container for up to 6 months. The taste of these dried microgreens is unique and luxuriously flavorful. Some people like to mix various flavors for a succulent dish.
Drying Methods
Whether you’re an experienced chef or a home cook, microgreens can be a luxurious addition to any dish. With their delicate flavor and vibrant colors, they bring an added dimension to any culinary creation. As such, it is important to store them in a way that maximizes their freshness and flavor.
One of the best ways to do this is to dry them. But, the drying process must be done properly to ensure the microgreens retain their flavor and texture.
The most commonly used methods of drying microgreens include:
- Sun-drying: This is one of the oldest methods of preserving food and you’re welcome to try it on your microgreens too. For the most effective sun-drying methods, place your microgreens on a clean mesh sheet so that air can properly circulate. Also, you’ll need to put your microgreens in direct sunlight for even and effective drying. The one downside to this is that it’s limited to sunny and dry climates and requires a lot of time and effort. Also, if the rain suddenly pours, your greens get soaked!
- Oven-drying: This method is comparatively easier than sun drying and is often used by home cooks as a more convenient method of drying their greens. Oven drying involves using low temperatures in your oven to dehydrate greens in larger quantities. However, it can be more time-consuming and the temperature needs to be monitored closely to avoid overcooking.
- Dehydrator: This might just be the easiest and most convenient way to achieve dried microgreens. A dehydrator is an electric appliance that uses heat and a fan to circulate air, which removes moisture from food. This method is efficient and can be used to dehydrate a wide variety of foods. You can find affordable dehydrators on Amazon and they are quite easy to start using even as a beginner.
- Microwave: Microwaving is another method of dehydrating microgreens. This method is fast and convenient, but it might not be suitable for all types of foods and may result in uneven drying. Regardless of the method you use, it’s really important to properly store your dehydrated microgreens to maintain the quality and prevent rehydration.
Microgreens can be stored in airtight containers in a cool, dark, and dry place – like your cupboard!
Benefits of Dried Microgreens
Since dried microgreens are so versatile and accessible, it’s important to understand the benefits of dehydrating them.
- Firstly, dehydrating microgreens enhances their flavor and preserves their nutritional content.
- Secondly, dehydrating microgreens allows for more convenient storage and transportation.
- Additionally, dehydrated microgreens offer a unique crunchy texture that can be used as an interesting topping for dishes or as a snack.
By understanding the benefits of dehydrating microgreens, you can create a variety of dried microgreens that are healthy, convenient, and flavorful.
Nutritional Value of Dried Microgreens
Dried microgreens are a suitable way to incorporate a variety of nutrient-dense greens into your diet. Compared to fresh microgreens, dehydrated microgreens have a longer shelf-life and require minimal maintenance or preparation.
Nutrient-wise, dehydrated microgreens contain a number of essential vitamins, minerals, and trace elements that are necessary for a balanced diet. They are also a great source of dietary fiber and have a high concentration of beneficial antioxidants. In addition, they are a great source of vital phytochemicals, which can help support a healthy gastrointestinal system.
What are the Best Types of Microgreens for Dehydrating
Dried microgreens can be used in a number of dishes and recipes, and as such, it is important to ensure that the type of microgreen used is suitable for drying.
When selecting our microgreens, factors such as size, texture, and ease of storage should be taken into consideration in order to ensure that the microgreens remain intact and retain their nutritional value after the dehydration process.
For instance, small, leafy microgreens such as baby spinach and kale are ideal for dehydration, as their size and texture make them suitable for dehydrating into crunchy and delicious dehydrated microgreens.
What’s the Best Equipment for Dehydrating Microgreens?
One of the best things about dehydrating foods is the fact that we can preserve them for longer! With that said, the right equipment is necessary to dehydrate microgreens in order to preserve them for long-term storage and use.
- Specifically, for quick and easy dehydration, a food dehydrator is needed. This device is designed to remove moisture from food and can easily handle small amounts of microgreens.
- For larger quantities, an oven can be used, though this requires extra caution and careful monitoring to avoid overcooking.
- Additionally, containers are needed to store the dried microgreens, such as air-tight containers or jars. Mason jars are perfect for this and can easily be sourced at your local mall or online at Amazon or Target.
- Lastly, if desired, a spice grinder can be used to grind dried microgreens into a powder, making them much more versatile. This can work as seasoning for all your culinary creations!
Steps to Perfect Dried Microgreens
It is definitely possible to dehydrate microgreens and produce perfectly dried microgreens. To do so successfully though, you’ll need to follow a few steps.
- Firstly, thoroughly wash and dry your microgreens before dehydration.
- Next, spread your microgreens evenly on a drying rack and place them in a dehydrator at a low temperature (approximately 110°F). The drying process should be monitored closely in order to ensure that the microgreens are not over-dried and that the desired level of dehydrated microgreens is achieved.
- Finally, store your dehydrated microgreens in an airtight container in a cool and dark place in order to preserve their quality.
What Amount of Time is Needed to Achieve Dried Microgreens?
Those who are veterans in the dehydration process are usually able to wing it from memory without the use of checking the time or equipment. If you’re new to the game, however, you’ll need to know how long it takes to avoid burning your greens to a crisp!
Of course, the type of microgreen, the drying environment, and the desired level of dryness are three things to consider.
Generally, it can take anywhere from a few hours to multiple days to dehydrate microgreens depending on the method used.
Those experienced in the process may be able to estimate the amount of time needed for dehydration more accurately, but it is best to use the trial and error method to find the ideal length of time for any given variety of microgreens.
How to Store Dried Microgreens
Would you like to store your microgreens for longer? Of course, you would!
Storing your greens properly will help to maximize the shelf life and flavor of the dried microgreens.
The three most common methods for storing dehydrated microgreens are freezing, vacuum sealing, and air-sealing. Freezing will help to keep them at a constant low temperature, which will prevent the growth of microorganisms and retain the flavor of the dehydrated microgreens.
Vacuum sealing is another great option as it removes air from the package and helps to prevent oxidation.
Finally, air-sealing is the preferred method for short-term storage as it will help to keep the microgreens fresh for a few days.
Using Your Dried Microgreens to Create Delectable Recipes
Using dehydrated microgreens in meals is a great way to add flavor and nutrition to meals.
When you buy dried microgreens from the store, the flavor and nutrition will be slightly different than when you use fresh microgreens. Fresh microgreens are optimal for adding just the right taste that stands out in your recipes.
When you’re ready to use your dehydrated microgreens in meals, ensure that you get the most out of your dehydrated microgreens and use them sparingly and as a finishing touch to your dish.
They will provide a subtle and unique flavor, as well as added texture. Additionally, you can add the dehydrated microgreens to salads, soups, and other dishes for added flavor and nutrition.
Dried Microgreens are Great for Your Recipes
All in all, microgreens can be dehydrated and used in a variety of ways. They are packed full of nutrients, and dehydrating them helps preserve their nutritional content while also making them more shelf-stable.
Microgreens can be a great addition to your diet, as they are easy to prepare and flavor-packed. Plus, they can easily be stored for long periods of time without losing their nutritional content.
Bon Appétit!