Our 10 Current Varieties
Click "Learn More" on any variety to see the detailed research and health benefits
Not All Microgreens Are Created Equal.
Here's Why We Chose These 10.
A science-driven approach to selecting the most nutrient-dense varieties
Every variety in our lineup survived rigorous evaluation against 2-3 runner-up candidates. Each selection addresses Canada's most pressing health concerns with peer-reviewed research backing, optimal growing feasibility, and proven customer appeal.
Five Criteria Every Variety Must Pass
Our selection methodology began with over 50 commercially viable candidates, filtered through these non-negotiable requirements:
- Health Canada Alignment: Addresses documented priority conditions (cardiovascular disease, osteoporosis, diabetes, cognitive decline)
- Academic Validation: Health claims supported by peer-reviewed research from credible journals
- Growing Feasibility: Reliably reaches harvest in 7-14 days with consistent quality
- Customer Palatability: Health-conscious adults aged 30-80 will consume it regularly
- Synergistic Potential: Complements other selections in age-targeted blend formulations
What This Means for Your Health
Cardiovascular Protection
Glucosinolates, vitamin E, and arterial-elasticity nutrients address CVD - the cause of 27% of Canadian deaths. (Statistics Canada, 2023)
Bone Health
Vitamin K concentrations up to 950% DV (amaranth) address osteoporosis affecting 2.5 million Canadians - 81% women. (Osteoporosis Canada, 2023)
Blood Sugar Regulation
4-hydroxyisoleucine, vitexin, and cynarin support glucose metabolism for the 3.4+ million Canadians with diabetes. (Diabetes Canada, 2023)
Cognitive Support
Red cabbage anthocyanins reduce amyloid plaque aggregation 70-92%. Dementia projected to double by 2031, affecting 750,000+ Canadians. (Okada & Okada, 2016; Alzheimer Society of Canada)
Anti-Inflammatory
Brassica isothiocyanates and beet betalains activate Nrf2 antioxidant pathways. Chronic inflammation underlies most chronic disease, affecting 46.1% of Canadians. (Public Health Agency of Canada)
Why Not Other Popular Varieties?
Transparency matters. Here's why certain runner-up varieties didn't make our initial lineup:
❌ Lentil Microgreens (vs. Pea Shoots ✓)
Why rejected: Higher protein and folate on paper, but longer soak times, mold susceptibility, and inconsistent germination made them commercially risky during bootstrap phase. Pea shoots match the foundation-green role with reliable production and 267% DV vitamin K backed by Xiao et al. (2012).
❌ Chia Microgreens (vs. Sunflower ✓)
Why rejected: Omega-3 advantage is real, but mucilaginous seeds cannot be pre-soaked and require precise moisture management that destroys yield consistency. Sunflower delivers complete protein with all 9 essential amino acids and the highest calcium of 6 tested varieties (Scientific Reports, 2025) without the growing volatility.
❌ Daikon Radish (vs. Radish ✓)
Why rejected: Exceptional vitamin E but more polarizing intense spiciness limits broad appeal. Regular radish wins on balanced flavor, fastest harvest cycle (5-6 days), and highest glucosinolate concentration tested (35-47 µmol/g per Tallei et al., 2025) - the cancer-pathway modulator that ranked first among 14 Brassica microgreens (Bafumo et al., 2024).
❌ Kohlrabi (Purple Vienna) (vs. Broccoli ✓)
Why rejected: Beautiful purple highlights and similar nutrition profile, but no equivalent of broccoli's 10-100x sulforaphane precursor advantage validated by Zhang et al. (1997, PNAS) - the most rigorously documented cancer-preventive claim in microgreen science. Broccoli also leads in iron and total phenolic content per the 2025 Scientific Reports study.
❌ Green Cabbage (vs. Red Cabbage ✓)
Why rejected: Lacks the anthocyanin pigments and cannot match red cabbage's USDA-validated records: 6x vitamin C, 40x vitamin E, 260x carotenoids vs mature (Xiao et al., 2012). Huang et al. (2016) demonstrated 34% LDL reduction from red cabbage microgreens specifically - results green cabbage cannot replicate.
❌ Collard Greens (vs. Kale ✓)
Why rejected: Similar nutrition with more intense, acquired-taste flavor that limits broad appeal. Kale microgreens deliver 5x more glucosinolates than mature kale (Bhaswant et al., 2023, Molecules) with a milder profile that works for the kid-and-skeptic crowd that won't touch mature kale, plus stronger superfood brand recognition.
❌ Swiss Chard (Rainbow) (vs. Beet ✓)
Why rejected: Beautiful multi-color visual appeal but less distinctive nutrition. Beet wins as the portfolio's only betalain source - the red-violet betacyanins and yellow-orange betaxanthins that activate the Nrf2 pathway. Thapa et al. (2021) measured peak betalain content at day 15 of growth, with iron content of 23.9 mg/100g - among the highest in microgreens tested.
❌ Quinoa Microgreens (vs. Amaranth ✓)
Why rejected: Similar complete-protein profile but slow germination (14-21 days vs amaranth's 7-10) and higher seed costs made commercial production impractical during bootstrap phase. Amaranth also delivers the highest vitamin K content tested across 25 species at 950% DV (Xiao et al., 2012) - the bone health champion quinoa cannot match.
❌ Alfalfa (vs. Fenugreek ✓)
Why rejected: A commodity product without differentiation. Neither alfalfa nor clover offers fenugreek's unique 4-hydroxyisoleucine and trigonelline compounds, validated by a 14-RCT meta-analysis (Bhavadharini et al., 2023, Medicina) showing significant HbA1c reduction (MD -0.88) - directly relevant to Canada's 3.4 million diabetics.
❌ Adzuki Beans (vs. Mung Bean ✓)
Why rejected: Similar nutrition but more variable seed quality and less established consumer recognition. Mung bean wins as the most digestible legume sprout - safe for raw consumption without cooking - with vitexin and isovitexin flavonoids (Li et al., 2012) providing hypoglycemic effects through pathways complementary to fenugreek.
Want the complete academic defense?
Download our full research report with peer-reviewed citations for every variety.
Help Us Choose What's Next
We've identified the next 10 varieties for expansion. Vote for your favorites and we'll notify you when they become available!
Tier 1
Essential additions (highest priority)Tier 2
High-value specialty varietiesTier 3
Market-expansion varietiesVote counts are live and update in real-time. Your input directly influences our expansion priority.
Frequently Asked Questions
Everything you want to know about our variety selection strategy
Why limit to 10 varieties during bootstrap phase?
Each variety requires mastering specific germination protocols, light timing, and harvest windows. Ten varieties allow us to achieve production consistency before adding complexity. It also optimizes seed inventory, growing trays, and cold storage during revenue-building. Most importantly, it enables focused customer education - the documented barrier isn't price, it's that customers don't know how to use microgreens. We can better solve this with 10 well-explained varieties than 30 confusing options.
Can I request custom blends mixing multiple varieties?
Absolutely! Our age-targeted MAVEN and ALPHA blends demonstrate how varieties work synergistically. We can create custom blends targeting specific health goals (diabetes support, bone health, cognitive function, cardiovascular protection). The 10-variety portfolio architecture was designed specifically to support condition-specific formulations. Contact us to discuss your health priorities and we'll recommend the optimal blend.
When will the "next 10" varieties become available?
Expansion triggers when: (1) we achieve consistent quality across all current varieties, (2) customer demand data identifies specific gaps, and (3) revenue supports additional inventory and cold storage. Your votes directly influence priority order. The highest-priority Tier 1 candidates (Cilantro and Mustard) will launch first when conditions permit, likely within 6-12 months. Click "Notify Me" on any future variety to be first to know when it's available.
How do you ensure the scientific claims are accurate?
Every health claim is backed by peer-reviewed research from credible journals (Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, PNAS, Scientific Reports, Food Research International, etc.). We cite specific studies, use USDA databases for nutrient values, and reference Health Canada statistics for demographic priorities. The full research report linked above contains all citations. We never make unsubstantiated marketing claims - if we can't find academic validation, we don't make the claim.
What makes microgreens more nutrient-dense than mature vegetables?
Microgreens are harvested at peak nutrient concentration - after the seed's stored energy fuels initial growth but before dilution from additional water uptake. Research shows 4-40x higher vitamins and antioxidants versus mature counterparts (Xiao et al., 2012). Broccoli microgreens contain 10-100x more sulforaphane precursors than mature broccoli. Red cabbage microgreens have 6x vitamin C, 40x vitamin E, 260x carotenoids. This isn't marketing - it's USDA-validated measurement. Plus, we deliver within 24 hours of harvest, preserving nutrient integrity that grocery store produce (cut days earlier) cannot match.
Ready to Experience the Difference?
Every variety is grown with precision, harvested fresh, and delivered within 24 hours to your door.