All About Mesclun: A Salad Lover’s Delight
What is Mesclun?
Mesclun is a colorful and nutritious salad mix made from young, tender greens. It’s often called “spring mix” because it’s harvested in the early spring. Mesclun greens are rich in vitamins and minerals, and they add a variety of flavors and textures to salads.
Varieties of Mesclun Greens
Traditional mesclun mixes include greens like endive, arugula, chervil, and baby red leaf lettuce. However, modern mesclun mixes can contain a wide variety of greens, including spinach, chard, frisee, mustard greens, dandelion greens, mizuna, mache, and radicchio.
Growing Mesclun
You can easily grow mesclun in your own garden. You can either purchase a seed mix or select your own favorite varieties of greens. Mesclun greens grow best in cool temperatures, so they’re perfect for spring and fall planting.
Sow the seeds thinly in a sunny spot and keep the soil moist. Once the seedlings have emerged, thin them out to a spacing of 1 inch (2.5 cm) between each plant.
Harvesting Salad Mesclun
Mesclun is harvested using the “cut and come again” method. This means that you can cut the leaves you need for each meal and leave the rest of the plant to continue growing.
Harvest greens that are 4 to 6 inches (10-15 cm) long and snip them off 1 inch (2.5 cm) above the soil line. In about a month, the plant will be ready to harvest again.
Make Your Own Mesclun Mix
The great thing about mesclun is that you can customize it to your own taste. In addition to the greens mentioned above, you can also add purslane, cress, Asian greens, red kale, and chicory to your mix.
You can also plant leafy herbs like cilantro, parsley, and basil with your mesclun greens. This will give your salads an extra burst of flavor.
Health Benefits of Mesclun Greens
Mesclun greens are packed with nutrients, including vitamins A, C, and K, as well as minerals like iron, calcium, and magnesium. They are also a good source of antioxidants, which can help protect your cells from damage.
Eating mesclun greens regularly can help you improve your overall health and well-being. They can help boost your energy levels, improve your digestion, and reduce your risk of chronic diseases like heart disease and cancer.
Mesclun: A Versatile Salad Green
Mesclun is a versatile salad green that can be used in a variety of dishes. It’s perfect for salads, sandwiches, wraps, and even smoothies. Mesclun greens are a delicious and nutritious way to add color, flavor, and texture to your meals.
Tips for Growing Mesclun
- Mesclun greens grow best in cool temperatures, so they’re perfect for spring and fall planting.
- Sow the seeds thinly in a sunny spot and keep the soil moist.
- Once the seedlings have emerged, thin them out to a spacing of 1 inch (2.5 cm) between each plant.
- Water the mesclun greens regularly, especially during hot weather.
- Harvest the greens when they are 4 to 6 inches (10-15 cm) long.
- Mesclun greens can be stored in the refrigerator for up to a week.
Mesclun Recipes
There are endless ways to enjoy mesclun greens. Here are a few of our favorite recipes:
- Mesclun Salad with Grilled Chicken
- Mesclun Salad with Berries and Goat Cheese
- Mesclun Salad with Roasted Vegetables
- Mesclun Salad with Quinoa and Chickpeas
Mesclun is a delicious and nutritious salad green that can be used in a variety of dishes. It’s easy to grow, and it’s a great way to add color, flavor, and texture to your meals.
