Microgreens question about brown roots

[berryama6]

My mom has been growing pea shoots and sunflower shoots at home using a tray system without soil. The stems and leaves look perfectly fine , but the roots are white near the base and then turn light brown at the ends where they sit in water. We’re guessing it might be from overwatering.

Are they still safe to eat, or is this a sign of something we should be worried about??

 

[seedling]

@berryama6 What you're seeing is usually just natural root browning from being in water, not rot. As long as the shoots smell fresh and look healthy, they're safe to eat

 

[berryama6]

@berryama6 What you're seeing is usually just natural root browning from being in water, not rot. As long as the shoots smell fresh and look healthy, they're safe to eat

Awesome! Does the browning affect flavor or nutrient content at all, or is it purely cosmetic?

 

[TSKT]

The brown color at the tips is often just the roots oxidizing when they hit oxygen or light, especially in hydroponic setups. As long as the shoots look vibrant and don't have a sour smell or slimy feel, they're still fine to eat. If you want to keep the roots whiter, try rinsing and changing the water more often and ensure the reservoir isn't sitting in stagnant water. Root rot usually comes with a mushy texture and unpleasant odor, so you'll know when something is off.