Brassica carinata
Texsel greens are a Texas-bred brassica developed by researchers at the University of Texas — a fast-growing, nutrient-packed variety with a unique serrated leaf shape and beautiful bright green tops and stems. As a cross between Ethiopian kale (Brassica carinata) and traditional kale, Texsel was selected specifically for its vigor, nutritional density, and culinary versatility. The serrated true leaves add amazing texture to microgreen mixtures — they catch light differently on the plate, hold onto dressings with more grip than flat-leafed brassicas, and bring structural contrast to composed salads and garnish plates.
At ChefPax, we're proud to grow a Texas-originated crop right here in Manor, TX — keeping it hyperlocal from development to delivery. Texsel microgreens are harvest-ready in 8–10 days, making them one of the most efficient crops in our rotation. They grow in 10×20 live trays with the same cadence as broccoli and kohlrabi, so they drop seamlessly into any existing weekly order.
In Austin kitchens, Texsel greens have become a quiet staple for chefs who want kale-level nutrition without the assertive bitterness. They're mild enough to build a salad around, tender enough for wraps, and clean enough in flavor that they blend in smoothies without fighting the fruit. The distinctive serrated leaf shape also makes Texsel a standout garnish — recognizable, elegant, and unmistakably Texas-grown.
Texsel greens taste like kale microgreens dialed back — mild, slightly sweet, with the familiar brassica earthiness softened to a clean background note. The serrated true leaves add a textural element that flat-leafed greens don't — they create visual interest on the plate and hold sauces and dressings better. Mild enough to use as a base green, robust enough to hold in warm applications, and clean enough to disappear into a smoothie without adding bitterness.
Developed at the University of Texas from Brassica carinata — Ethiopian kale — Texsel greens carry one of the strongest nutritional profiles in the brassica family. They're rich in glucosinolates, the sulfur compounds studied for their role in healthy cellular function. Vitamins K and C are present in significant concentrations, along with folate and anti-inflammatory phytocompounds. Research on Brassica carinata microgreens (Johnson et al., Frontiers in Plant Science, 2022) has noted higher total phenolic content compared to standard kale varieties, suggesting a meaningful antioxidant advantage. The microgreen form concentrates these compounds before the plant redirects energy into structural growth.
For a deeper look at vitamins and phytonutrients studied across varieties, see the microgreens nutrition guide.
Your ChefPax Texsel greens tray arrives with living roots intact. Keep at room temperature in indirect light and snip as needed. Texsel is hardy for a brassica — expect 7–10 days of snipping from a fresh tray. Water lightly at the base every 1–2 days. Rinse snipped greens before use. Avoid storing the cut greens in plastic; instead, place them in a loose container in the fridge for same-day or next-day use.
Full storage tips — container types, fridge placement, and shelf life by crop — are in the microgreens storage guide.
We're building dedicated texsel greens microgreens recipes for this page. In the meantime, these recipes from similar crops are a great starting point:
ChefPax Microgreens
ChefPax recipe
18 min
Bright lemon pasta tossed with earthy broccoli microgreens for a fresh, nutritious meal.
ChefPax Microgreens
ChefPax recipe
25 min
Tender grilled steak topped with fresh broccoli microgreens for a burst of flavor and nutrition.
Texsel greens are a hybrid cross between Ethiopian kale (Brassica carinata) and traditional kale. As microgreens, they taste like a milder, sweeter version of kale microgreens — the brassica flavor is there without the bitterness that makes some people avoid kale. They're also slightly more tender than standard kale microgreens.
Yes — Texsel greens are one of the best microgreens for smoothies because they blend cleanly without introducing bitterness or a strong grassy flavor. Add a handful to a fruit smoothie and you get significant nutrition without changing the flavor profile.
A ChefPax Texsel live tray stays harvest-ready for 7–10 days when kept at room temperature in indirect light and watered lightly at the base. Texsel is one of the heartier microgreens — it holds up longer than more delicate varieties like buckwheat or cantaloupe.
