Microgreen Powders and Capsules

When discussing microgreen powders, especially in the context of Natural Yield's production, here's a breakdown:

Essentially:  Microgreen powders are concentrated forms of microgreens. Microgreens themselves are young vegetable greens, harvested just after the cotyledon leaves have developed.

Natural Yield's microgreen powders are created by growing those microgreens, then using a freeze drying process, followed by a stone milling process to create a very fine powder.

Key Characteristics:

Concentrated Nutrition:  They aim to preserve the high nutrient density of microgreens in a convenient powder form.

Processing:  Natural Yield uses freeze drying and stone milling. Freeze drying is used to preserve the nutrients, and the stone mill is used to create a fine powder.

Convenience:  The powder form allows for easy incorporation into various foods and drinks.

Packaging:  Natural Yield uses vacuum packed self vacuuming containers, to preserve the freshness of the powder.

In summary:  Natural Yield's microgreen powders are a product of carefully grown microgreens, processed to retain their nutritional value and provide a convenient way to add those nutrients to your diet.

Microgreen powders, when produced with care like Natural Yield's, aim to retain the potent nutritional benefits of fresh microgreens. Here's a breakdown of those benefits:

Concentrated Nutrients:  Microgreens, in general, are known to contain higher concentrations of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants than their mature counterparts. This concentration is then preserved in the powder form.

This means that even small amounts of microgreen powder can provide a significant nutritional boost.

Key Nutrients:  Microgreens are rich in:

• Vitamins: Such as vitamins C, E, and K.
• Minerals: Including iron, potassium, and calcium.
• Antioxidants: Which help protect the body against cell damage.
• Phytonutrients: Beneficial plant compounds that contribute to overall health.

Potential Health Benefits:  Based on research, consuming microgreens may contribute to:

• Heart health: Antioxidants and other compounds may help lower the risk of heart disease.
• Improved blood sugar regulation: Some microgreens may help improve insulin sensitivity.
• Cancer prevention: Certain microgreens contain compounds that may help prevent cancer growth.
• Eye health: Some microgreens are rich in lutein, which is beneficial for eye health.

Natural Yield's Processing:  Natural Yield's freeze-drying and stone-milling processes are designed to preserve these nutrients, ensuring that the powder retains as much of the original nutritional value as possible.  The vacuum packing of the product also helps to retain the nutritional value by preventing oxidation.

It's important to remember that while microgreen powders are a valuable source of nutrients, they should be consumed as part of a balanced diet.

Microgreen powders, especially Natural Yield's, offer a versatile way to boost your nutritional intake. Here's a breakdown of how to incorporate them into your daily routine:

Smoothies and Juices:  This is one of the easiest ways to add microgreen powder. Simply blend a teaspoon or two into your favorite smoothie or juice for a nutrient boost.

Sprinkling:  Sprinkle the powder over salads, soups, or cooked vegetables for added flavor and nutrition.

Mixing into Sauces and Dips:  Incorporate the powder into sauces, dips, or dressings for a subtle flavor enhancement and nutritional boost.

Adding to Baked Goods:  Mix the powder into bread, muffin, or pancake batter. Be mindful that it can alter the color of your baked goods.

Mixing into Yogurt or Oatmeal:  Stir the powder into yogurt or oatmeal for a healthy breakfast option.

Capsules:  For those who do not enjoy the taste, or wish to carefully control the amount consumed, the powder can be placed into empty capsules.

Considerations:

• Start Small:  Begin with a small amount of powder and gradually increase as desired.
• Taste:  Microgreen powders can have a slightly earthy or peppery taste, depending on the variety of microgreens used.
• Natural Yield's Product:  Because Natural Yield uses freeze drying and stone milling, the powder is very fine, and mixes easily into most foods.

By experimenting with different methods, you can find the ways that work best for you to enjoy the benefits of microgreen powders.

Determining the right amount of microgreen powder to consume can vary depending on individual needs and preferences. However, here's a general guideline, keeping in mind that Natural Yield's product is a concentrated form of nutrients:

General Recommendations:  Many sources suggest starting with a small amount, such as 1/2 to 1 teaspoon per day. This allows your body to adjust to the increased nutrient intake.

You can then adjust the amount based on your individual needs and how you feel.

Because microgreen powder is very concentrated, a little goes a long way.

Factors to Consider:

• Individual Health: Those with specific health conditions or dietary restrictions should consult with a healthcare professional before adding microgreen powder to their diet.
• Dietary Needs: If you have a diet low in vegetables, you may want to consume a slightly larger amount.
• Product Concentration: Because Natural Yield uses freeze drying, and stone milling, the product is very concentrated. Therefore, users should be mindful of this fact.

Tips for Consumption:

It's best to incorporate microgreen powder into your daily routine consistently.  You can add it to smoothies, juices, soups, or sprinkle it over meals.  Listen to your body and adjust the amount as needed.

Important Note:  While microgreen powders are a valuable source of nutrients, they should not replace a balanced diet.

It's always recommended to consult with a healthcare professional or registered dietitian for personalized advice, especially if you have any underlying health conditions.

While microgreen powders, like Natural Yield's, are generally considered safe for consumption, some individuals may experience potential side effects. Here's a breakdown:

Digestive Issues:  Because microgreens are high in fiber, consuming large amounts of the powder, especially when first starting, can lead to digestive discomfort such as gas, bloating, or diarrhea.  Starting with a small amount and gradually increasing intake can help mitigate these effects.

Allergic Reactions:

• Individuals with allergies to specific vegetables or plants should exercise caution when consuming microgreen powders.
• Allergic reactions can range from mild skin rashes to more severe symptoms.
• If you have known allergies, carefully review the ingredients and start with a very small amount to assess your tolerance.

Interactions with Medications:

• Microgreens, like other leafy greens, contain vitamin K, which can interact with blood-thinning medications such as warfarin.
• If you are taking any medications, consult with your healthcare provider before adding microgreen powder to your diet.
  

   

Contamination:

• While Natural Yield takes precautions, any food product can potentially be contaminated with bacteria or other pathogens.
• Natural Yield controls the growing environment, and freeze dries the product, greatly reducing this risk.

Oxalate Content:  Some microgreens contain oxalates, which can contribute to kidney stones in susceptible individuals. Those with a history of kidney stones should consult their doctor.

Natural Yield's Processing:  Natural Yield's freeze-drying and stone-milling processes, combined with its vacuum packing, aim to minimize these risks by preserving the product's quality and freshness. However, individual reactions can still occur.

It's always best to listen to your body and consult with a healthcare professional if you experience any adverse effects.

Natural Yield employs a specific process to transform their microgreens into a nutrient-rich powder. Here's a breakdown:

Growing:  Natural Yield begins by growing their microgreens in a controlled environment to ensure quality and consistency.

Harvesting:  The microgreens are harvested at their peak nutritional density, which is typically just after the cotyledon leaves have developed.

Freeze-Drying:  This is a crucial step. Natural Yield uses freeze-drying, also known as lyophilization. This process involves:

• Freezing the microgreens.
• Then, under a vacuum, the frozen water is sublimated, meaning it transitions directly from ice to vapor, bypassing the liquid state.
• This method effectively removes moisture while preserving the delicate nutrients, vitamins, and enzymes that can be damaged by heat-drying methods.
• Stone-Milling:  After freeze-drying, the dehydrated microgreens are milled into a fine powder using a stone mill.
  
  • Stone milling is a gentler process than high speed metal blade milling. It produces less heat, and therefore helps to preserve the nutrients that remain in the freeze dried product.
  • This results in a consistent, fine powder that is easily incorporated into various foods and beverages.

Packaging:  Natural Yield then vacuum packs the powder into self vacuuming containers. This process removes oxygen, which helps to prevent oxidation and maintain the powder's freshness and potency.

In essence, Natural Yield's process prioritizes nutrient preservation through freeze-drying and gentle stone-milling, followed by vacuum packaging for optimal shelf life.

When considering whether microgreen powders are organic or sustainably sourced, it's important to look at the specific practices of the producer. 

Natural Yield's Practices:

Natural Yield controls our growing environment. This allows us to eliminate the need for harmful pesticides and herbicides. This controlled environment growing is a key part of sustainable growing practices.

• Our processing, which includes freeze-drying and stone-milling, is designed to preserve the nutrients of the microgreens, which can be seen as a sustainable practice by maximizing the value of the grown product.
• Natural Yield is an Australian family owned business, and and we state that our microgreen and microgreen powder products are made from 100% Australian ingredients, which are Chemical Free and Non GMO.

General Considerations:  "Sustainably sourced" can encompass various practices, including responsible water usage, minimal environmental impact, and ethical labor practices.   Microgreens growing uses very little water for the nutrient output.  The freeze drying process is uses considerable power, however Natural Yield utilises solar power in its operations to offset the power usage.

To get the most accurate and up-to-date information on Natural Yield's specific sourcing and organic certifications, I recommend:

• Visiting the Natural Yield website: Their product descriptions may provide details on their growing practices.
• Contacting Natural Yield directly: You can reach out to their customer service for specific inquiries.

I hope this helps.

Natural Yield manages the complete process in-house.

1. We source our non-GMO, chemical free seeds from our trusted growers.
2. We grow the microgreens in our own grow operations in Bootstrap Farmer products (Food Grade, BPA Free).
3. We harvest the product and rough cut them onto freeze drying trays.  
4. We freeze dry the product (usually takes about 1 day)
5. In our dehumidified freeze drying room we perform the following.
6. We manually feed the freeze dried microgreen through our stone mill until we get the correct density
7. We transfer into capsules as required.
8. We immediately pack the powder or capsules into self vacuuming containers or refill packs and add an oxygen absorber.

We don't use weight on the label due to the perception most people have that the more something weighs the more value they are getting!  However, the process of freeze drying removes about 95% of the weight of the original product, as 95% of most microgreens is water! 

We find that most people are interested in how long it will last them rather than the weight or the volume.

We use weight and volume in our packing process, which we calibrate on every batch we package.

As an example, if the suggested does is 1 teaspoon per day we measure out 1 teaspoon of the milled product and weigh that teaspoon's worth of powder.  Then we multiply that weight by the number of days we are supplying and measure and pack that total weight - we always add in extra for wiggle room.

To preserve freshness for you we like to grow on demand so we don't have product sitting on our shelves.  It takes between 7 - 10 days to grow most microgreens and another day to freeze dry and pack them, so you should allow for that when ordering something that is "on-backorder".