List Of The 10 Smallest Vegetables In The World
Last updated on November 26th, 2023 at 04:42 am
There are many different types of vegetables that can be found in the world, but when it comes to size, there is a definite hierarchy. With some of these being so small they’re less than half an inch long!
In this article we will go over 10 of the smallest vegetables in the world and what makes them special.
- Microgreens
- Radishes
- Peas
- Edamame beans
- Cherry tomato
- Chives and garlic chives
- Shallots and pearl onions
- Scallions
- Grape tomato
- Baby carrots
#1. Microgreens
Microgreens are usually between 1-3 inches or 2.5-7.5 centimeters tall and are the newest trend in plant-based eating. They are essentially grown from seed to harvest, but they’re harvested at just a few weeks old.
The result is plump, tender greens that have all of the nutrients of mature plants.
Microgreens also contain more phytonutrients than their adult counterparts because they haven’t had time to build up any defenses against pests or disease yet.
#2. Radishes
Radishes are a great addition to any meal! They’re sweet, spicy, and crunchy. Radishes can be eaten raw or cooked. They have a very short shelf life so you must eat them within one week of purchasing them.
When radishes are harvested in the spring, they are usually between 0.75-1.25 inches in diameter.
#3. Peas
Peas are a small, round pod which is green in color. They grow in pods and come with two peas inside of them on average.
Some peas are purple or black depending on the variety but the colors typically vary between the different types. Peas can be eaten raw or cooked and they have been cultivated for thousands of years.
Sugar peas are very popular and are a hybrid of sugar snap and snow pea. They’re crunchy, sweet, and nutritious.
Check out: 10 Smallest fruits in the world
#4. Edamame beans
Edamame beans are a healthy and delicious snack. These beans are soybeans that are harvested before they are ripe and are essentially an immature soybean in a pod.
They are not eaten whole like the snap pea and are usually sold while encased. They’re low in calories, high in protein and rich in fiber. These beans are usually boiled or steamed before being eaten. The best part is that they taste great!
#5. Cherry tomato
Cherry tomatoes are a small, round tomato that is typically about 1-inch in diameter. These bite-sized tomatoes are perfect in salads or on top of a pizza. They are often eaten raw or used in salsa to add sweetness.
Cherry tomatoes also make an excellent snack all by themselves!
If you are into planting and growing your own cherry tomatoes, due to their small size, they can be grown on the vine without any support from stakes or cages, just plant them two feet apart. To grow them successfully indoors, choose a sunny window with plenty of light as they love the heat.
If you want to give your cherry tomato plants an added boost in the winter, cover the potting soil with straw mulch or compost for insulation during cold spells.
#6. Chives and garlic chives
Garlic chives are a type of herb that’s usually used in Asian cuisine. Chives are a tiny vegetable typically found fresh or dried and come from the Allium family, which includes garlic, onions, leeks, scallions, and shallots.
Although they resemble green onions with their long thin stalks, they have flat leaves like grass that grow on top of the ground like a weed.
#7. Shallots and pearl onions
Shallots are part of the onion family and are quite small usually around 1-1.5 inches in size. Pearl onions are a small onion that is typically served as an appetizer or side dish. They’re also sometimes used in soups and salads.
Pearl onions look like little pearl-sized balls of pure white deliciousness, which makes them perfect for many different types of dishes.
#8. Scallions
Scallions are a type of onion that grows in clumps and is often used for flavoring. They grow to about two inches long, have green leaves at the top, white roots below ground, and an off-white bulb called the “scallion heart.” Scallions are also known as green onions or spring onions.
#9. Grape tomato
Grape tomatoes have a similar taste and texture as larger tomatoes. However, they are typically much smaller around 0.5 – 1 inch in diameter and most often found in the baby or grape size range.
They also tend to be sweeter than regular-sized tomatoes because they contain less water content. While you can find them year round, they are at their peak season from July through October depending on where you live.
#10. Baby carrots
Baby carrots are a genetically engineered variant of orange carrots grown specifically for their small size and uniformity.
They are usually around 3-4 inches in length and can be found in the produce section alongside other varieties of carrots such as organic, heirloom, or even white.
