From Microgreens to Golden Drops: Crafting Homegrown Oils with Grassroots Farms

Ready to Unlock the full potential of your harvest by transforming microgreens and seeds into vibrant, nutrient-packed oils!? At Grassroots Farms, we’re passionate about sustainable, farm-to-table practices, and today, we’ll guide you through every step-from seed selection to pressing-paired with recipes from our Microgreens Cookbook to inspire your culinary creations.

Why Grow and Press Your Own Oils?

Home-pressed oils capture the essence of fresh microgreens and seeds, delivering concentrated vitamins, antioxidants, and healthy fats. Unlike store-bought oils, DIY pressing ensures purity, flavor, and zero waste-plus, the leftover seed cake can be repurposed in baking or composting.

Step-by-Step Oil Production

1. Seed Selection & Prep
   • Top Choices: First choose a suitable microgreen or seed for your oil. These offer the best results -Black oil sunflower (30-35% yield), hemp (35-40%), flax (omega-3 rich), and pumpkin seeds (gourmet flavor).
   • Next prepare the Microgreens for use by Drying.
     Drying: Sun-dry seeds for 7–10 days or use a dehydrator at low heat to reduce moisture. Optional Toasting: Lightly toast pumpkin or sunflower seeds to enhance nutty flavors.
2. Next Press to extract oils.Here are some methods:
   Pressing Methods
   • Manual Screw Press: Affordable for home use; ideal for small batches.
   • Motorized Expeller Press: Efficient for larger quantities, using a rotating screw to mechanically extract oil.
   • Cold Infusion: For delicate microgreens (e.g., basil or radish), steep in warm carrier oil (e.g., sunflower) for 24–48 hours, then strain.
3. Finally straining and storage for later use!
   Straining & Storage Options:
   • Filter extracted oil through cheesecloth or a fine mesh strainer.
   • Store in dark glass bottles in a cool, dry place to preserve freshness.

Recipe: Cold-Infused Basil Microgreen Oil

Ingredients:

• 2 cups fresh basil microgreens
• 1 cup sunflower seed oil (home-pressed or store-bought)
• 1 garlic clove (optional)

Instructions:

1. First Step – Infuse: Combine microgreens and oil in a jar. Add garlic if desired.
2. Next, Steep: Heat gently in a double boiler (100°F) for 2 hours, then let cool and rest for 24 hours.
3. Finally, Strain: Press through cheesecloth and bottle.
4. Use: Drizzle over pasta, soups, or grilled vegetables.

Sustainable Pairings from Our Cookbook

• Sunflower Seed Cake: Blend into our Microgreen Protein Bars with dates and cocoa.
• Hemp Oil: Elevate the Kale Microgreen Salad with lemon zest and roasted chickpeas.
• Pumpkin Seed Oil: Finish our Roasted Squash Soup for a nutty accent.

Pro Tips for Success

• Yield Boost: Pre-crush seeds with a rolling pin before pressing.
• Oxidation Prevention: Add a vitamin E capsule to extend shelf life.
• Zero Waste: Use leftover pulp in compost or as garden mulch.

Ready to Press Forward?

Dive deeper with our Microgreens Cookbook, featuring oil-infused dressings, marinades, and desserts. Whether you’re pressing sunflower seeds or infusing basil microgreens, every drop celebrates sustainability and flavor.

#HomegrownOils #ZeroWasteKitchen #MicrogreensMagic #SeedToBottle #GrassrootsFlavor
Transition smoothly from garden to table with Grassroots Farms-where every drop tells a story. 🌱✨