Radish microgreens pack lots of benefits that slowly diminish as they mature into their full bulb vegetable counterpart. Radish microgreens offer flavor, nutrition, texture, and visual appeal to dishes. They are grown and harvested fast – within a week from planting. They can be easily added as an ingredient or garnishing to salads, sandwiches, soups and dishes. It is surprising that all these benefits are offered by this tiny young plant.
Microgreens are newly-developed plants grown from the seeds of edible vegetable plants using a special process and harvested for eating within 10 days after being planted. Around this time, the cotyledon leaves and probably a set of true leaves have just appeared. Radish microgreen is one of the easiest and quickest microgreens to grow, making it an exciting variety for first time growers to plant, raise and harvest.
Radish microgreen traces its growth with the development of other microgreen plants. MIcrogreens first made their presence on the chefs’ menus in San Francisco, USA as early as the 1980s. Initially, the microgreens offered consisted of basil, arugula, kale, beets, cilantro, and a colorful mixture of these microgreens. They moved eastward from California and became popular in the 1990s. At that time, more varieties of microgreens were introduced.
Characteristics and Uses
Radish microgreens are served and eaten fresh and raw. They give a peppery radish taste, similar to that of a radish bulb. You can grow radish microgreens from any variety of edible radish. It is delicate and crunchy. It may be added to your burger or favorite sandwich like a lettuce. It can also be a salad ingredient or garnishing for soups and dishes to give them an added peppery element.
Varieties of Radish Microgreen
The most commonly grown radish microgreens include the following:
Purple Rambo Radish
The Purple Rambo Radish has beautiful purple leaves and a few green leaves, adding color when used in salads and as garnishing in dishes. It grows quickly and may be harvested after 7 days. It has a spicy flavor similar to Red Champion Radish.
Daikon Radish
Characterized as highly nutritious, the Daikon Radish was tested as having the highest concentration of Vitamin E among 24 other varieties of microgreen plants.
Red Champion Radish
The Red Champion Radish is considered the most common type of radish microgreen. It grows quickly and can be harvested after 7 days. It offers a mild earthy taste.
China Rose Radish
The Chine Rose Radish is one of the fastest growing microgreens compared to the other types. It can be harvested in as early as 5 days, provided it is exposed to light on day three. It has an intense radish flavor.
Opal Radish
The Opal Radish is known to bring out a bold radish flavor and rich in antioxidants. It is delicious with grilled or roasted vegetables. A beautiful addition to soups, salads and sandwiches.