Fresh, Nutritious, and Locally Grown Microgreens by Dagan Bora for the DeKalb County Community
Welcome to Trayhaus Microgreens, your premier direct-to-community source for premium-quality microgreens in DeKalb County, Georgia.
I started growing Microgreens because I wanted to control my food costs and eat a healthier diet. To begin I purchased a rack, trays, some lights, and soil. 8 trays were seeded in the 1st grow and when it came time to harvest I found myself with a surplus of product. My current capacity is ~60 trays/month.
If you think of yourself as a chemist in the kitchen, just skip to the products page and start a small order. I’ll help you out. There are some ideas for recipes in the recipes section. Microgreens go great in smoothies.
If you run a business and want to place a larger order to be delivered on a specific day to ensure freshness, that’ll require some planning for logistics and risk management. There may be additional costs. Please contact me to discuss what you are seeking to do and when.
What are Microgreens?
There are over 80 types of Microgreens. Essentially, we harvest vegetables just after they form the cotyledon and the first pair of true leaves. Here’s an analogy to put it into perspective – broccoli microgreens are to heads of broccoli as tadpoles are to frogs. A younger version of the same lifeform. The microgreens we grow the most are peas, broccoli, radish, and sunflower. Check out the health benefits!
Microgreens are carefully harvested during their early growth stage, typically within a span of 7 to 14 days after the seeds have germinated. Because I’m mainly growing for personal consumption and to learn more about plants I can guarantee an unparalleled level of freshness and quality. The supply chain is from my rack to my car and into your hands. No grocery stores. No distributors. You can buy with a tray deposit and cut them yourself as-needed. Microgreens have gained recognition for their concentrated nutrients, which are packed into their small sizes, offering a remarkable array of health benefits. Not only are they nutrient-dense, but they also boast intense flavors and a captivating range of vibrant colors, making them a culinary treasure trove that adds a delightful touch to any dish.
Small business constraints and reality-check
This is a learning organization grown from a passion project. All Microgreens are grown-to-order. Your order can take up to 3 weeks to fill, but sometimes we’ll have a surplus ready or soon-to-be harvested. Nominally, we ask for phone numbers and an email so we can check-in with customers about their order and delivery specifics.
In full disclosure, I have no idea what kind of demand there will be. If our SEO works and the Internet poops out 100 orders for one of each in the first week, then I will be challenged to meet that demand. That would be about ~100 trays. My rack fits 24. Buying and setting up racks and ordering lights takes time. So there is most definitely an upper limit to how much new customer demand I can take on at any given time. Trayhaus will take on new customers on a first-come, first-serve basis. Recurring customers will be given preference on inventory. Once you get used to cooking with them we’d like to continue to be your supplier of choice.
New Products, Learning Curve, and Expectation
If you want to order something that’s not on the menu, I’ll grow it, but remember that each plant is unique. Let’s grow together. Lighting has different effects, as does soil, humidity, temperature, etc. Theory needs to be applied in practice to improve the farmer’s skill with the crop. Plants are living organisms and there is a real science to it. With over 80 different products and different ways to maximize attributes like flavor, anti-oxidant capacity, or robustness… the field is so deep that it is like “a rabbit hole”. The deeper you go the more you realize how much you don’t know. For instance, “Light-harvesting components of photosynthetic organisms are complex, coupled, many-body quantum systems…” and at non sub-zero temperatures to boot! Sarovar, M., Ishizaki, A., Fleming, G. et al. Quantum entanglement in photosynthetic light-harvesting complexes. Nature Phys 6, 462–467 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1038/nphys1652
If I haven’t grown it before it would stand to reason that I also haven’t had time to learn lessons from the data gathered from previous sample sets. Ergo… the result may not be of the highest quality and you may not like it. I can guarantee freshness and that I grew it myself. Microgreens are perishable so we don’t accept returns. We’ll work it out. At the moment I care more about my customers and product than the company.
Proven Health Benefits
Numerous studies have highlighted the remarkable health benefits of microgreens. Incorporating microgreens into your diet can have a positive impact on your overall well-being. Here are some proven health benefits backed by scientific research:
- Rich in Nutrients: Microgreens are densely packed with essential vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, such as vitamin C, vitamin K, potassium, and beta-carotene.
- Enhanced Digestion: The high fiber content in microgreens supports healthy digestion and can help regulate bowel movements.
- Boosted Immunity: Microgreens contain immune-boosting compounds that strengthen your body’s natural defense mechanisms and help fight off infections and diseases.
- Heart-Healthy: Regular consumption of microgreens has been associated with lower cholesterol levels and reduced risk of heart disease.
- Improved Cognitive Function: Certain microgreens, such as broccoli and radish microgreens, are rich in compounds that have been linked to enhanced brain health and improved cognitive function.
Why Choose Microgreens over Regular Greens?
While both microgreens and regular greens offer nutritional benefits, microgreens have some distinct advantages that make them a compelling choice. Here’s why you should consider choosing microgreens:
- Concentrated Nutrients: Microgreens are harvested at an early stage, making them more nutrient-dense compared to fully grown greens. They contain higher levels of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants per weight, providing you with a powerful nutritional boost in each bite.
- Intense Flavor: Microgreens offer a concentrated burst of flavor, often more pronounced than their mature counterparts. Their vibrant taste adds depth and complexity to dishes, enhancing the overall culinary experience.
- Versatile Culinary Uses: Microgreens are incredibly versatile in the kitchen. They can be used as garnishes, added to salads, sandwiches, soups, smoothies, or incorporated into various dishes to elevate their visual appeal, taste, and nutritional value.
- Rapid Growth and Freshness: Microgreens have a quick growth cycle, allowing for a constant supply of fresh greens. Locally grown by farmer Dagan Bora, Trayhaus ensures that the microgreens are harvested and delivered to your table within days, ensuring maximum freshness and quality.
- Unique Varieties: Microgreens come in a wide range of flavors and textures, offering a diverse and exciting culinary palette. From delicate and mild microgreens like pea shoots to robust and peppery microgreens like radish, there is a microgreen variety to suit every palate.
Freshness Guarantee: Handcrafted Batches and Weekly Harvests
At Trayhaus Microgreens, I take pride in delivering the freshest microgreens to our customers. I meticulously cultivate each batch of microgreens to meet your specific needs and preferences. By tailoring the growing process, we ensure that the microgreens you receive are at the peak of freshness and flavor.
To maintain a continuous supply of fresh microgreens, I conduct weekly harvests. This regular harvesting schedule guarantees that you always receive microgreens that have been freshly harvested, preserving their vibrant colors, crisp textures, and exceptional flavors.
Reality-check – Being brutally honest, I just started doing this. I’m not at Jonah Krochmalnek’s level yet. This isn’t a commercial operation. We are continuously improving to get to the next level with our customer’s satisfaction. From seed to harvest, I carefully nurture the microgreens, providing them with fair to optimal growing conditions.
Experience the difference that personal attention and commitment to freshness make with Trayhaus Microgreens – your source for handcrafted, locally grown microgreens that will elevate your culinary creations to new heights.
Order Your Trayhaus Microgreens Today!
Experience the freshness and goodness of locally grown microgreens by ordering from Trayhaus Microgreens. As a direct-to-community farm, we offer convenient online ordering and quick delivery services, ensuring that you receive your vibrant microgreens by farmer Dagan Bora at their peak freshness. Transform your meals into culinary masterpieces and embrace a healthier lifestyle with Trayhaus!
Indulge in the extraordinary flavors and health benefits of microgreens – your taste buds and body will thank you. Place your order today and join us in celebrating the wonders of microgreens!
Research articles supporting benefits of Microgreens
1. Weber CF. Broccoli Microgreens: A Mineral-Rich Crop That Can Diversify Food Systems. Front Nutr. 2017 Mar 23;4:7. doi: 10.3389/fnut.2017.00007. PMID: 28386543; PMCID: PMC5362588. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5362588/
2. Sun J, Xiao Z, Lin LZ, Lester GE, Wang Q, Harnly JM, Chen P. Profiling polyphenols in five Brassica species microgreens by UHPLC-PDA-ESI/HRMS(n.). J Agric Food Chem. 2013 Nov 20;61(46):10960-70. doi: 10.1021/jf401802n. Epub 2013 Nov 5. PMID: 24144328; PMCID: PMC3915300. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3915300/
3. Huang H, Jiang X, Xiao Z, Yu L, Pham Q, Sun J, Chen P, Yokoyama W, Yu LL, Luo YS, Wang TT. Red Cabbage Microgreens Lower Circulating Low-Density Lipoprotein (LDL), Liver Cholesterol, and Inflammatory Cytokines in Mice Fed a High-Fat Diet. J Agric Food Chem. 2016 Dec 7;64(48):9161-9171. doi: 10.1021/acs.jafc.6b03805. Epub 2016 Nov 28. PMID: 27933986. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27933986/
4. Tangney CC, Rasmussen HE. Polyphenols, inflammation, and cardiovascular disease. Curr Atheroscler Rep. 2013 May;15(5):324. doi: 10.1007/s11883-013-0324-x. PMID: 23512608; PMCID: PMC3651847. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3651847/
5. Zhou Y, Zheng J, Li Y, Xu DP, Li S, Chen YM, Li HB. Natural Polyphenols for Prevention and Treatment of Cancer. Nutrients. 2016 Aug 22;8(8):515. doi: 10.3390/nu8080515. PMID: 27556486; PMCID: PMC4997428. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4997428/
6. Bazzano LA, He J, Ogden LG, Loria CM, Vupputuri S, Myers L, Whelton PK. Fruit and vegetable intake and risk of cardiovascular disease in US adults: the first National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey Epidemiologic Follow-up Study. Am J Clin Nutr. 2002 Jul;76(1):93-9. doi: 10.1093/ajcn/76.1.93. PMID: 12081821. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12081821/
7. Gordon M. Dietary antioxidants in disease prevention. Nat Prod Rep. 1996 Aug;13(4):265-73. doi: 10.1039/np9961300265. PMID: 8760864. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/8760864/
8. Li Y, Zhang T. Targeting cancer stem cells with sulforaphane, a dietary component from broccoli and broccoli sprouts. Future Oncol. 2013 Aug;9(8):1097-103. doi: 10.2217/fon.13.108. PMID: 23902242.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23902242/