Chervil Microgreen Seeds
Grow delicate, aromatic chervil microgreens with a fresh parsley-like flavour and subtle hints of anise. Chervil microgreen seeds produce attractive green shoots with finely divided leaves and a delicate flavour particularly suited to salads, garnishes and professional culinary use.
Chervil (Anthriscus cerefolium) is a traditional culinary herb belonging to the Apiaceae family, which also includes parsley, carrot and coriander. When grown as a microgreen, chervil develops tender stems and attractive foliage that make it particularly useful as an edible garnish.
Unlike very fast-growing brassica microgreens, chervil develops more slowly and rewards growers with a distinctive crop valued for its appearance and delicate herbal flavour. It can be grown indoors in shallow trays using a suitable microgreen growing medium.
Seedmart chervil microgreen seeds are supplied as untreated seed for growing purposes and are available in packet and bulk quantities for home and commercial growers.
Chervil Microgreen Seed Details
| Botanical name | Anthriscus cerefolium |
|---|---|
| Variety | Chervil |
| Seed type | Open-pollinated |
| Seed treatment | Untreated |
| Pre-soak | Not required |
| Seeds per gram | Approximately 500 seeds per gram |
| Growing medium | Soil, seed-raising mix or coir |
| Germination | Approximately 7–14 days |
| Typical harvest | Approximately 12–24 days |
| Availability | Retail packets and bulk quantities |
Why Grow Chervil Microgreens?
- Delicate, fresh herbal flavour with parsley-like and subtle anise notes.
- Attractive fine green foliage ideal for edible garnishes and professional plating.
- Suitable for salads, sandwiches, egg dishes, seafood and savoury meals.
- Can be grown indoors in shallow microgreen trays.
- No seed pre-soaking required.
- Untreated, open-pollinated seed.
- Suitable for home and commercial microgreen production.
- Available in smaller packets and economical bulk quantities.
- Supplied by an Australian-owned seed company.
How to Grow Chervil Microgreens
Chervil microgreens are slower growing than many common microgreen varieties and benefit from consistent moisture during germination. The seeds do not normally require pre-soaking and can be sown directly into a moist, fine-textured growing medium.
- Prepare the growing tray.
Add approximately 3–4 cm of moist growing medium to a shallow tray and gently level the surface. Suitable media include quality soil, seed-raising mix or coir. - Sow the chervil seeds.
Spread the seed as evenly as possible across the surface. Aim for consistent coverage without allowing the seeds to pile heavily on top of one another. - Press the seeds gently.
Gently press the seeds into contact with the moist growing medium. A very light covering of fine growing medium can also be applied. - Mist thoroughly.
Use a fine spray mister to moisten the seeds and growing surface evenly without disturbing the seed. - Maintain moisture during germination.
Keep the growing medium consistently moist without waterlogging it. Chervil germination can be slower than many common microgreens and may take approximately 7–14 days. - Introduce the seedlings to light.
Once the seedlings have emerged, provide suitable natural or artificial growing light and maintain good airflow around the crop. - Harvest the microgreens.
Chervil microgreens are commonly ready to harvest approximately 12–24 days after sowing, depending on temperature, light, moisture and preferred harvest stage. Cut the stems cleanly just above the growing medium.
What Do Chervil Microgreens Taste Like?
Chervil microgreens have a delicate herbal flavour often described as similar to parsley with subtle anise or liquorice notes. Their flavour is considerably milder than strongly flavoured microgreens such as mustard and radish.
The mild flavour and attractive foliage make chervil particularly suitable for dishes where a fresh herbal character is wanted without overpowering other ingredients. Chervil is traditionally associated with French cooking and is one of the herbs commonly included in fines herbes.
For the best flavour and appearance, chervil microgreens are generally used fresh and added to dishes shortly before serving.
How to Use Chervil Microgreens
Chervil microgreens combine delicate flavour with finely textured green foliage, making them particularly useful as a culinary microgreen and edible garnish.
- Salads: Add to green and herb salads for a delicate fresh flavour.
- Garnishes: Use the attractive foliage as an edible garnish for restaurant-style plating.
- Egg dishes: Add to omelettes, scrambled eggs and poached eggs immediately before serving.
- Fish and seafood: Use as a fresh herb garnish with delicately flavoured fish and seafood dishes.
- Soups: Scatter over soups just before serving rather than cooking for an extended period.
- Sandwiches and wraps: Add fresh shoots for mild herbal flavour and texture.
- Vegetable dishes: Use as a finishing herb with potatoes and other cooked vegetables.
Because chervil has a delicate flavour, prolonged cooking can diminish its fresh character. Add freshly harvested chervil microgreens near the end of preparation or immediately before serving.
Chervil Microgreens vs Parsley Microgreens
Chervil and parsley belong to the same plant family and are both grown as culinary microgreens, but they differ in flavour, appearance and culinary use.
| Feature | Chervil Microgreens | Parsley Microgreens |
|---|---|---|
| Botanical name | Anthriscus cerefolium | Petroselinum crispum |
| Flavour | Delicate, parsley-like flavour with subtle anise notes | Fresh, herbaceous and distinctly parsley-like |
| Appearance | Fine, delicate green foliage | Green foliage developing the characteristic parsley leaf shape |
| Culinary use | Garnishes, salads, eggs, fish and delicately flavoured dishes | Garnishes, salads and a wide range of savoury dishes |
Frequently Asked Questions
How long do chervil microgreens take to grow?
Chervil is slower growing than many common microgreens. A typical crop may take approximately 18–25 days from sowing to harvest, although timing varies according to temperature, light, moisture, seed lot and preferred harvest stage.
How long do chervil seeds take to germinate?
Chervil seeds commonly take approximately 7–14 days to germinate. Germination can vary according to growing conditions, so maintain consistent moisture and allow sufficient time for seedlings to emerge.
Do chervil microgreen seeds need to be soaked?
No. Pre-soaking is not normally required. Chervil microgreen seeds can be sown directly into a moist, fine-textured growing medium.
What do chervil microgreens taste like?
Chervil microgreens have a delicate fresh herbal flavour similar to parsley, accompanied by subtle anise or liquorice-like notes.
Is chervil the same as parsley?
No. Chervil is Anthriscus cerefolium, while common parsley is Petroselinum crispum. Both belong to the Apiaceae family, but they are different plants with different flavours.
Can chervil microgreens be grown indoors?
Yes. Chervil microgreens can be grown indoors in shallow trays where suitable moisture, light, temperature and airflow can be maintained.
Do chervil microgreens need light?
Once the seedlings emerge, provide suitable natural or artificial growing light to encourage healthy green growth. Adequate airflow is also important when growing microgreens indoors.
What growing medium is suitable for chervil microgreens?
A fine-textured, moisture-retentive but well-drained growing medium is suitable. Quality seed-raising mix, fine soil or an appropriate coir-based medium can be used.
When should chervil microgreens be harvested?
Harvest chervil microgreens when the seedlings have developed attractive green foliage and reached the size and flavour you prefer. This is commonly around 18–25 days after sowing under suitable growing conditions.
How do you eat chervil microgreens?
Chervil microgreens can be eaten fresh in salads, sandwiches and wraps or used as an edible garnish with eggs, fish, soups and vegetable dishes. Their delicate flavour is best preserved when they are added shortly before serving.
Are chervil microgreens suitable for chefs and restaurants?
Yes. Their finely divided foliage, delicate herbal flavour and attractive appearance make chervil particularly suitable for culinary garnishing and professional food presentation.
Where can I buy chervil microgreen seeds in Australia?
Seedmart supplies untreated chervil microgreen seeds in packet and bulk quantities for home growers, chefs, restaurants, microgreen growers and commercial customers throughout Australia.
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