04/29/2021
Differences between sprouts and microgreens
Sprouts, such as alfalfa sprouts and bean sprouts, have been around for a long time. However, it may be harder to find sprouts these days due to outbreaks of foodborne illness due to the consumption of uncooked sprouts. Microgreens and sprouts may look similar but there are some differences between the two.
The biggest difference between them is how they are grown and harvested. Microgreen seeds are planted and grown in soil or hydroponically. For sprouts, the seeds are germinated in water or wet bags for a couple of days, usually in warm dark places, until they sprout. At that point, they're ready to be packaged and shipped to stores.
The problem for sprouts is how they are grown. By being in a high moisture low light environment the risk of bacterial contamination that causes foodborne illnesses is quite high. Since microgreens aren't grown the same way as sprouts, they don't have the same risk. Of course, they still need to be handled properly with food safety in mind, just like any raw veggie or green.
Another difference between the two is that when they're packaged, sprouts include the seed, roots, stems, and tiny undeveloped leaves. Microgreens only include their first set of true leaves.