How To Store Your Microgreens For LONGER SHELF LIFE
So you have some microgreens that either you grew yourself or you got from the store, but how should you package them? By the end of this video, you will know exactly how to package your microgreens for longer shelf life, and if you stick to the end, I'll show you a special packaging that will make your microgreens last for over a month in the fridge!
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When I started my microgreens business three years ago, I needed to figure out which packaging I was going to use and what would work best for my needs. I tried a bunch of different sizes and types of materials, and at this point, I've been able to find a packaging that works well for me and that I'm very happy with.
I always favor quality over quantity so my top priority is always making sure that my products are the best around, and packaging plays a big role in that - not just from a visual perspective but also from a quality perspective. The packaging that you use will play a role in the shelf life of your product, so I'm happy to show you everything that I've learned over the years right now in this video.
If you want a high quality product and a long shelf life, your microgreens have to be grown well in the first place. If your microgreens aren't healthy, they won't last long after you pack them. Assuming you're packing quality greens, there's some other factors to consider. The microgreens shouldn't be wet when you package them. Wet product will rot quicker, so make sure to master your watering schedule, that way when you go to harvest your greens you aren't working with wet product. You also want to be as gentle as possible when harvesting. Keep in mind that microgreens are simply very young plants, so they're very fragile. If you're too rough with them, you're going to bruise the plants which will cause them to die and rot almost instantly.
Another important factor is the storage temperature. I keep my fridge as low as possible, right at 33. I find this makes my greens last really well. Just be careful not to freeze them by accident, because if you freeze the greens and don't intend on keeping them frozen, they will die right away.
As far as packaging goes, what's most important is putting the right amount of product into the container. Not too much and not too little. You don't want a ton of air in the packaging because that will contribute to the oxidation of your plants. This being said, you also don't want to stuff your microgreens into the package because this can damage your product. I also find that the microgreens like at least a little bit of space to breathe. Also, if there's any excess moisture in with the greens and they're packed too tight, they will start to rot.
If I'm packaging smaller quantities of microgreens, I use plastic clamshells, but the bags that I use for packaging larger quantities will literally make bigger varieties like pea and sunflower last for over a month in the fridge without a problem. The bags are called Keep It Fresh Produce Bags and I buy them on Amazon.
Now you know how to package your microgreens so that they last longer, but what if you want some inspiration on how to eat your microgreens? Join my Microgreens Support Group on Facebook where we share recipe ideas, this way you can get a better idea of how to use them in your own cooking or you can share with your customers to help them use your products and hopefully up their order.
Link To This Video: https://youtu.be/fib5WAuBOPs