It would be a shame to let cilantro out of your microgreen garden. Growing cilantro microgreens at home will give your food a zesty taste and plenty of nutrients without the high price tag. Like most microgreens, Coriandrum sativum is very easy to grow. It's one of the slower growing microgreens, but it's worth the wait.
The difference between growing coriander microgreen and growing coriander is in the harvest time. When the coriander first sprouts from the seed, it unfolds two grass-like cotyledons. These delicious leaves taste like coriander, but with a smaller punch. Shortly after the cotyledon leaves appear, the first feather-light, real leaves appear. The coriander microgreens now have the full coriander flavor … unless you have a specific genetic variation, which we cover in our article on growing coriander.
This short step method is not only a much faster way to grow cilantro, it is also more nutritious. Coriander microgreens are generally healthier than your full grown selves. Because it's so freshly sprouted, the coriander microgreen still gets its nutrients from the seed endosperm. Instead, as the plant matures, it relies on soil nutrients, which are much more variable.
In this quick guide, we'll walk you through each step of the process of turning coriander seeds into delicious baby greens. So let's get our hands dirty and let's grow coriander – the micro-green way!
Good products for growing coriander microgreens:
Coriander microgreens short info
Slow Bolt Coriander Micro Green
| Taste: | Citrus-like coriander taste |
| Soaking: | Optional |
| Rinse / Drain: | Optional |
| Germination: | 2-6 days |
| Ideal harvest: | 10-20 days |
Growing coriander microgreens
You will need the same materials for most microgreens. The growth process is also similar, but has a step or two specific to the coriander microgreen.
materials
When we grow coriander microgreens, we harvest before the plants develop a good root system. Because of this, they can be grown in shallow planters. Since the young plants get all of their nutrients from the seed, we don't have to worry about organic fertilizers or nutrients in the soil mix. Instead, use a fine-grain soil mix that will keep the seeds evenly moisturized. There are bottomless options like coconut-coconut or vermiculite, but coriander seeds don't grow well in fully hydroponic systems. Some kind of growth medium should be used.
Coriander microgreens grow best in even light. It's easiest to use a grow light because you can measure it for 12 hours or more every day. Keep the grow light close to the micro-green bowl and make sure it touches all of the plants as evenly as possible.
soaking
Coriander seeds have two halves, each of which sprouts.
There is some debate about whether or not to soak coriander seeds. The general consensus is that these seeds can go either way and still grow well. Soaking can speed up the germination process, but it doesn't necessarily make the seeds grow any faster.
If you want to soak the seeds, soak them in a bowl of clean water for 12 to 24 hours (no more than a day). After that, plant them immediately. You can also try crushing the seed coats instead of soaking them in water. Just put the seeds in a plastic bag and gently mash them with a rolling pin or cutting board. This has an effect similar to soaking.
So you can choose whether you want to crush the seeds, distribute them in water, or skip this step entirely. Any of these methods should nonetheless turn every seed into high quality coriander microgreens.
plants
Before you start planting these seeds, we need to prepare the tray for growing microgreens. Fill it with damp soil just below the brim and smooth it out as evenly as possible. Then spread the seeds over the entire surface. We want them to be relatively close together but not overlap (around 5 to 8 per square inch). Coriander microgreens need a little more clearance than other species because they grow longer and develop more leaves. It is not necessary to cover the seed with soil.
Give the seeds and soil a mist of water on top and cover the tray. This cover must block out all sunlight in order for the seeds to germinate (we recommend using a second tray). Coriander microgreens require a cooler temperature to germinate than other plants, around 70 ° F.
Check the seeds every few days and water them as needed. They may not germinate evenly, but should do so within 2-6 days.
Growing
Leisure Splits Coriander microgreen.
When the coriander seeds have sprouted and the sprouts are pushing the tray lid up, it's time to treat them like plants. First remove the tray and use the grow light. You can see that the seedlings and leaves are white due to lack of light, but they turn green quickly.
Mold loves a dark and damp environment, so we need to keep the soil as dry as possible. Soil irrigation is the best solution here. Fill a bowl with water and place the tray on it. The soil mix absorbs the water and keeps the sprouts dry and mold-free.
As the coriander microgreens grow, feel the weight of the peel each day to see if the soil medium is ready for more water. As they grow in size, some of the coriander microgreens can push up the seed coat with the cotyledons and leaves. Lightly brush the palm of your hand over the top of the coriander microgreens to remove them.
harvest
It takes anywhere from 10 to 20 days to find that the coriander microgreens are good and ready to harvest. The cotyledons are open and green. Most importantly, the first real leaves have arrived. This time window is the culmination of flavor and nutrition for coriander microgreens. From the root to the leaf, the greens should be an inch or higher.
Stop watering the coriander microgreens 12 hours before harvest. This will remove excess moisture and prepare the greens for storage.
Now all you have to do is grab your kitchen scissors and snap! Cut the stems off just above the ground. Coriander microgreens have a flexible harvest window so you can choose to harvest on demand instead of in a day.
storage
Like any native product, coriander microgreens taste great when used fresh. Rinse them in cold water and add them raw to salad, eggs or your favorite Mexican dish.
If you don't want to use them right away, hold off the wash step. In order to achieve proper storage, we want to keep the coriander microgreens as dry as possible. Squeeze it lightly between two paper towels and seal it in an airtight container. With this method, they are kept in the refrigerator for 5-10 days.
frequently asked Questions
These Leisure Splits seeds are already divided into individual halves for quick germination.
Q: Does microcoriander taste like cilantro?
A: Yes! When you grow the first real leaves, you will find that the taste is indistinguishable.
Q: Does coriander grow back after cutting?
A: Coriander microgreen will not grow back as all bulbs will be removed during harvest. Ripe coriander, on the other hand, is harvested and used in portions so that it comes back.
The green fingers behind this article:
