What makes a food dish truly stand out? Some would say it’s the flavor that keeps them coming back for more, dancing on their tongue long after their plate has become empty. Others would emphasize the presentation and artistic approach of the dish, no doubt enhanced by Instagram culture. When it comes to the final touch that transforms a plate from beautiful to stunning, look no further than herb crystals and edible flowers. These lovely and dainty microgreens have been much beloved by restaurants around the world and are used to accentuate and enhance many a flavorful dish.
History Of Microgreens
Microgreens have been around for more than 30 years, though some estimates believe they could have cropped up even earlier. It’s thought there are over 100 different types of common garden flowers that are edible and palatable, coming in a wealth of color, textures and shapes. Microgreens have historically been rated on a scale from one to five, with the marketability threshold holding at a standard three. Anything below a three is considered unmarketable and undesirable, including poor texture, wrinkles and lackluster color.
Types Of Microgreens
There are many different forms of microgreens, from herb crystals to edible blossoms. Crystallized violas and crystallized rose petals are highly popular with weddings and catering businesses due to their colorful and dainty appearance. Also known as sugar flowers, these are created using simple gum paste mixtures and are fully edible. Other flowers include blossoms, pansies and orchids. Microgreens have long been a staple of fine dining restaurants and you would be hard-pressed to find an elegant dish absent of intricate symbolism brought on by herb crystals.
Restaurants And Food Culture
Herb crystals and edible blossoms have contributed greatly to dining culture over the years. Thanks to the accessibility of the Internet, people from all over the world can contribute to food culture through photography and writing. The average fine dining cost per person in the United States is $30, calculated during the recent upsurge in restaurant reservations in the past few years. Estimates have seen a 3% increase, amounting to millions more one-time visitors and frequent customers. One of the largest Flickr groups online, called ‘I Ate This’, has over 19,000 members contributing photos and videos of their restaurant experiences around the country.
Color Theory And Design
As the saying goes, “You eat with your eyes first.” Nowhere is that more evident than fine dining restaurants, who put just as much effort into the presentation as they do the flavor. Adults generally prefer minimalist palettes, at no more than three colors and three food components, while children favor more colorful and erratic flavor themes at six and six, respectively. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, households with an income of $100,000 ore more are responsible for nearly 40% of the total spending on food away from home. These translate into microgreens, which only continue to see business booming as people flock eagerly to restaurants and cafes.
Buying Microgreens
Microgreens are an art form in of themselves. Incredibly difficult to grow, microgreen growers anticipate a finicky growing environment and quality materials in order to bring the herb crystals and edible candy flowers beloved by establishments and consumers alike. The best microgreens are stored at an optimal temperature of four degrees Celsius, or 39.2 degrees Fahrenheit, and will have a brilliant color and tasty texture. If you’re looking to spruce up your menu, look no further than your microgreen growery. Edible flowers and herb crystals are the perfect touch-up to any dish and transform it from a meal into an experience.