An Asian-Russian cousin of the other kales — Red Russian belongs to the Brassica napus species (that of canola and rutabaga) rather than to Brassica oleracea (the European cabbages), a small botanical distinction that translates into a noticeably different flavour in the microgreen. Fine stems of a beautiful luminous pink-purple contrasting with tender green cotyledons — an elegant visual variation on the same coloured motif as red cabbage.
Particularly mild and tender flavour, much sweeter and more delicate than the other Brassicaceae sprouts, with an almost herbaceous note and an extremely light mustardy kick. Exceptionally tender texture.
It's probably the microgreen of the family easiest to integrate in large quantity into recipes: complete salads (and not only as garnish), sandwiches, wraps, omelettes, pita, or as a direct replacement for arugula in any recipe. Also remarkably cold-resistant in culture, which makes it an excellent winter microgreen to grow at home.
- Soak: not required (fine seeds), optional 4 to 6 hours.
- Germination time: 2 to 4 days.
- Sprout harvest: 4 to 6 days after the start of soaking.
- Microgreen harvest: 8 to 12 days after sowing.
- Yield: about 1 teaspoon of seeds produces a 20 × 20 cm tray of microgreens.
- Best use: complete salads, sandwiches, omelettes, winter microgreens.
