Urth Caffé's Supergreens

Microgreens so fresh they are on your plate the same day they are picked!

Urth Caffé's Supergreens - a vibrant exclusive mix of the finest freshest microgreens procured from organic regenerative L.A. farm, Mulholland Estate.

Down the winding hidden roads of Mullholand Drive and beyond a steep driveway, lies the hidden gem that is Mulholland Estate—a family-owned organic and regenerative microgreens, agave and flower farm that is soon to supply Urth Caffé with the freshest, most nutritional and might I say—beautiful—microgreens in all of L.A. 

Left: Co-Founders Jules Lieb & Priti, their son Julian and Urth Caffé Head Chef, David Giova on the Mulholland Estate regenerative and organic farm.
Middle: Broccoli Microgreens grown in the Indoor Vertical Soil-Based Microgreens Farm. Right: Co-Founder Priti in her flower garden on the farm.

Originally purchased with the intent of developing, the land has laid fallow for decades, creating the perfect environment for a regenerative organic farm. Husband and wife team Jules and Priti (who is also a doctor) ended up falling in love with the land and felt called to protect and become stewards of it. I had the pleasure of touring the farm, and it is a little slice of heaven just beneath the Hollywood sign. Their roughly 4 acres are meticulously planted with agave and flowers, and their microgreens are housed in an Indoor Vertical Soil-Based Microgreens Farm. Rows and rows of the freshest, finest and sometimes—rare little gems ready to be plucked. 

Left: Rows of microgreens growing in the Indoor Vertical Soil-Based Microgreens Farm. Microgreens are typically harvested 7 to14 days after germination. 
Right: Red cabbage microgreens almost ready to be harvested!

Microgreens are packed with nutrients and are said to have up to 40 times the vitamin and antioxidant levels of their full-grown counterparts; this inspired Urth Caffé to serve them at the café with the menu name "Supergreens." Supergreens are an exclusive mix that Chef Davide Giova developed through an extensive collaboration and tasting with Mulholland Estate's Jules Lieb, and these tiny little powerhouses are so fresh, they will have just been picked the same day they are on your plate! 

Urth Caffé's Supergreens! Offered as an upgrade to any salad or side salad on the menu.

These fine select greens will soon be offered in the new Shiraz Salad: A Persian recipe based on the famous cucumber salad of Shiraz made with organic white quinoa, Persian cucumbers, sweet onion, heirloom tomatoes, avocado, fresh herbs and vibrant colorful microgreens tossed with fresh squeezed lime, olive oil, coarse sea salt, fresh cracked pepper—all served in a crunchy tostada bowl. Supergreens will also be available as a one-of-kind, highly nutritious upgrade to any salad or side salad on the menu.* (Coming soon—keep an eye out for the announcement!)  

Left & Far Right: Urth Caffé's new Shiraz Salad, beautifully housed in a crunchy tostada bowl.
Middle: Urth's Herb Roasted Turkey Sandwich with the side salad upgrade of Supergreens!

Mulholland Estate provides sunflower shoots, speckled pea shoots, pea greens, broccoli, red cabbage, amaranth, nasturtium, basil, cilantro, arugula, beet, kale, mustard, cantaloupe microgreens and black oil sunflower. Each type of microgreen provides specific nutritional benefits. Broccoli, for example, is packed with sulforaphane, an antioxidant that is said to help with digestion and heart health. And sunflower and amaranth microgreens are considered a complete (plant) protein with all 8 essential minerals. 

Mulholland Estates microgreens -- packed with up to 40 times the nutritional value of their mature counterparts. 
All of Mulholland Estates microgreens are fresh-cut when ordered. They will be on your plate the same day they are picked!
Top left: Sunflower. Top right: Amaranth. Bottom Middle: Melon -- tastes just like a sweet little melon!

Regenerative farming techniques are employed at Mulholland Estate, not only because it is better for the environment, but as co-owner Jules stated, "Sustainability is woven into nearly every aspect of our operation. One of the ways we reduce waste and conserve resources is through an extensive water reclamation program that allows us to give water a second life." Rainwater is collected from the rooftops and stored for reuse (rather than being allowed to run off the property). This reclaimed water is used for power washing microgreens trays and supporting daily farm operations. "We also recover the discharge water from our reverse osmosis filtration system. While the purified water is used to grow microgreens, the remaining water is not wasted. Instead, it is captured and redirected in our reclamation system," says, Jules. 

Left & Right: UrthCaffe's Head Chef Davide Giova & Mulholland Estate's Jules Lieb. Right: In the background picking flowers is Jules & Priti's son, Julian. 

The water used to cultivate and grow the microgreens and any water generated during tray cleaning is collected, stored in dedicated tanks and repurposed to nourish the thousands of flowers growing on the farm. "By viewing water as a valuable resource at every stage of its journey, we are able to operate more responsibly and sustainably while maintaining the high standards of quality that define Mulholland Estate."

Left: Mulholland Estate organic regenerative farm - the building at the far left is the Indoor Vertical Soil-Based Microgreens Farm, beyond that the flower beds and grapevines.
Right: Mulholland Estate's Co-Founders Jules, Priti & their son Julian & Urth Head Chef Davide Giova. Notice the Hollywood Sign in the distance.

In addition to this, the mulch from the microgreens is used as fertilizer for the agave. Thus, completing a full circle and honoring not only the soil and the land, but the inherent cycles of life. The soil, Jules explained, is rich and perfect for the growing of the agave and the flowers. And all is picked with care by hand—person to plant—with no mechanical harvesting used at all. "It is our obligation as stewards of the greens to provide the ultimate quality, consistency and freshness that loyal customers of Urth have come to appreciate for decades," says Jules.

Tender, vibrant cilantro microgreens ready to be plucked!

And the microgreens are fresh—as fresh as you can get. Jules and Priti believe in full transparency, and they provide a service that is unique and guarantees freshness. They will cut your microgreens right in front of you. Or, if delivering, will cut via video to guarantee and share the very fresh nature of these greens. One thing I found fascinating (and quite delicious!) is the fact that they grow and provide melon microgreens. When tasted, they taste just like a melon—fresh and sweet, and I was told, loved by kids. A great way to get those tiny greens into tiny bodies.

Left: Chef Giova and Julian in the Indoor Vertical Soil-Based Microgreens Farm.
Middle: Organic cilantro with coriander husks microgreens - just sprouting. Right: Chef Giova and Jules Lieb. 

Perched just north of the Hollywood Bowl, the property overlooks the fireworks whenever there is a show and boasts sweeping unobstructed views of not only the Hollywood sign, but downtown L.A—framed by the picturesque Hollywood Hills. Both Jules, Priti, and their son, Julian (who also helps with the farming) live on property and are on-site, conscientious stewards of the land, the farm and the moments spent there. Chef's dinners are held on the expansive outdoor patio, and a little fun fact: The home that is still located on the property used to be occupied by Billy Joel. 

Mulholland Estate.
Notice the agave plants and the view of Downtown L.A. in the distance.

Urth Caffé is proud and honored to partner with this very special farm nestled so delicately within the hills of L.A. The Mulholland Estate—where nutrient-rich microgreens are cultivated and sustainably farmed under the iconic Hollywood sign. Committed to sustainable, eco-friendly methods that respect the earth and its resources, with farming practices which are all about sustainability designed to protect and enhance L.A.'s natural environment. Grown with care and harvested at peak vitality, these tiny greens elevate both flavor and nutrition. 

"We are so honored to partner with Urth Caffé. It is truly a great privilege and dream, 
and we look forward to a long relationship together."  
                                                                                          ~Jules Lieb, Co-Founder Mulholland Estate

Left: Jules, Priti, Julian & Chef Davide at Mulholland Estate.
Right: Chef Giova and Jules Lieb in the farm's Polaris - an all terrain vehicle used to transport mulch &  plants & navigate the steep and rocky terrain of the estate. 

This extraordinary farm is quietly changing the face of farming in L.A.—and the nature of city farming—one little microgreen at a time. And Urth Caffé is excited to partner with Mulholland Estate to bring these Supergreens to you! 🍃

*Additional charge applies

Written by: Lisa Mouhibian