Picking up on the latest culinary trends among Jalisco’s top chefs, savvy horticulturist Alberto Pantoja is venturing into new terrain at his Ajijic nursery, Vivero del Lago, with the cultivation of exotic microgreens.
After nearly two decades of experience in growing and marketing ornamental plants, Pantoja started expanding his business horizons in 2003, getting into greenhouse production of arugula, exotic lettuce varieties and other edible plants. Over the years he built close ties with several of the Guadalajara metro area’s top-notch restaurateurs and their chefs, adjusting his crops to meet their demand for high quality veggies, aromatic herbs and even edible fresh flowers such as nasturtiuims and pansies. He uses a lot of imported seed stock and follows organic farming practices.
At the suggestion of his pals at upscale establishments such as I Latina, sister restaurant Anita Li and Paralelo 28, last fall Pantoja began experimenting with the cultivation of microgreens, newborn leafy plants grown from the seeds of different vegetables and herbs.
Creative chefs around the world fancy microgreens for the intense burst of flavor and appealing look they add as garnish on the platter.
Depending upon the species, microgreens usually take 10 to 14 days to grow from seed to around two inches in height, reaching harvest age once the tender leaves are sufficiently developed. They differ from sprouts in the way they are produced and consumed.
Today Pantoja harvests an average of 90 ounces of microgreens every week, based on orders from his wholesale buyers. Preferred plant choices include carrots, peas, radishes, celery, beets, argula, parsley, coriander and mustard. Each offers a distinct taste and appearance to enhance other foods.
Lakesiders interested in retail purchase of microgreens may place their orders on Mondays for Wednesday pickup or Fridays for retrieval the next day. Sandwich size plastic packages, called burbujas (bubbles) containing an assorted mix or single type of plants go for 80 pesos each. Vivero del Lago is located on the highway service road next door to the Ajijic Telmex office, telephone 766-6057, email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..