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The wild ramp, AKA wild leek, botanical name Allium tricoccum, is a flowering perennial plant that grows in clusters. It is a member of the Allium family along with onions and leeks
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Micro Bull's Blood is very small in size, averaging 5-7 centimeters in height, and has a small stem with two elongated, ovate leaves. The stems are bright red, and the color gradually fades into green on the smooth leaves. The upper surface of the leaf is a dusty green tinged in red while the underside is a light burgundy with deep magenta veining. Micro Bull’s Blood is tender, crunchy, and sweet with a distinctly earthy, nutty, and beet-like flavor similar to the flavor of spinach.
Micro Bull's Blood is available year-round.
Micro Bull's Blood is the young, tiny, edible version of the mature herb and is typically harvested 14-25 days after sowing. Microgreens, such as Bull’s Blood, have been a trendy green seen in upscale restaurants since the 1980s-1990s. They are most commonly consumed raw and are used to elevate the taste, appearance, and texture of culinary dishes. Micro Bull’s Blood was one of the first microgreen varieties ever grown and was desired by chefs for its stunningly vibrant color and earthy taste.
Micro Bull’s Blood contains vitamins A, B, C, E, and K, zinc, iron, calcium magnesium, potassium, and antioxidants.
Micro Bull's Blood greens are best suited for raw applications as they are most commonly added as the finishing item to dishes. They can be used specifically as a garnish or added as a punch of red coloring. They are used on green salads, on top of pizzas, in sandwiches, or floated on top of borscht for an extra bite of beet flavor. Like the beetroot, Micro Bull’s Blood mimics the same flavors and may be used with similar ingredients such as, garlic, chives, onions, shallots, dill, honey, cheeses such as Burrata and feta, chickpeas, bacon, prosciutto, smoked fish, eggs, paprika, hazelnuts, walnuts, quinoa, squash, cherry tomatoes, avocado, cucumber, and citrus such as lemon. The delicate leaves will wilt if exposed to prolonged heat and do not stand up to heavy dressings and sauces. They will keep 5-7 days when stored unwashed, in a sealed container, and in the refrigerator. It is recommended to use these greens immediately for the best quality and flavor.
In 2013, the University of Maryland conducted a study on the nutrition, sensory, quality, and safety evaluation on twenty-five different microgreens. The study showed that some of the microgreens had a significantly higher amount of nutrients than their mature counterparts. According to the study, Micro Bull’s Blood was one of the favored microgreens for consumer acceptability and has remained one of the most popular microgreens used in restaurants today.
Micro Bull’s Blood began showing up on chefs’ menus in California in the 1980s-1990s as a garnish and a part of the growing microgreen trend. Today Micro Bull’s Blood can be found at specialty grocers and through select distributors across the United States and Europe.
Restaurants currently purchasing this product as an ingredient for their menu.
Recipes that include Micro Bulls Blood. One
is
easiest, three is harder.
| Food Fable: Beets | Listen |
Grower
| Fresh Origins | Homepage |
Description/Taste
Micro Bull's Blood is very small in size, averaging 5-7 centimeters in height, and has a small stem with two elongated, ovate leaves. The stems are bright red, and the color gradually fades into green on the smooth leaves. The upper surface of the leaf is a dusty green tinged in red while the underside is a light burgundy with deep magenta veining. Micro Bull’s Blood is tender, crunchy, and sweet with a distinctly earthy, nutty, and beet-like flavor similar to the flavor of spinach.
Seasons/Availability
Micro Bull's Blood is available year-round.
Current Facts
Micro Bull's Blood is the young, tiny, edible version of the mature herb and is typically harvested 14-25 days after sowing. Microgreens, such as Bull’s Blood, have been a trendy green seen in upscale restaurants since the 1980s-1990s. They are most commonly consumed raw and are used to elevate the taste, appearance, and texture of culinary dishes. Micro Bull’s Blood was one of the first microgreen varieties ever grown and was desired by chefs for its stunningly vibrant color and earthy taste.
Nutritional Value
Micro Bull’s Blood contains vitamins A, B, C, E, and K, zinc, iron, calcium magnesium, potassium, and antioxidants.
Applications
Micro Bull's Blood greens are best suited for raw applications as they are most commonly added as the finishing item to dishes. They can be used specifically as a garnish or added as a punch of red coloring. They are used on green salads, on top of pizzas, in sandwiches, or floated on top of borscht for an extra bite of beet flavor. Like the beetroot, Micro Bull’s Blood mimics the same flavors and may be used with similar ingredients such as, garlic, chives, onions, shallots, dill, honey, cheeses such as Burrata and feta, chickpeas, bacon, prosciutto, smoked fish, eggs, paprika, hazelnuts, walnuts, quinoa, squash, cherry tomatoes, avocado, cucumber, and citrus such as lemon. The delicate leaves will wilt if exposed to prolonged heat and do not stand up to heavy dressings and sauces. They will keep 5-7 days when stored unwashed, in a sealed container, and in the refrigerator. It is recommended to use these greens immediately for the best quality and flavor.
Ethnic/Cultural Info
In 2013, the University of Maryland conducted a study on the nutrition, sensory, quality, and safety evaluation on twenty-five different microgreens. The study showed that some of the microgreens had a significantly higher amount of nutrients than their mature counterparts. According to the study, Micro Bull’s Blood was one of the favored microgreens for consumer acceptability and has remained one of the most popular microgreens used in restaurants today.
Geography/History
Micro Bull’s Blood began showing up on chefs’ menus in California in the 1980s-1990s as a garnish and a part of the growing microgreen trend. Today Micro Bull’s Blood can be found at specialty grocers and through select distributors across the United States and Europe.
Featured Restaurants
Restaurants currently purchasing this product as an ingredient for their menu.
| Nolita Hall | San Diego CA | 619-618-8820 |
| Union Kitchen & Tap (Encinitas) | Encinitas CA | 760-230-2337 |
| Toast Catering | San Diego CA | 858-208-9422 |
| The Joint | San Diego CA | 619-222-8272 |
Recipe Ideas
Recipes that include Micro Bulls Blood. One
is
easiest, three is harder.
