Sprouting 101 -- Nutrition

Oooh..fancy title!

Here we have it, my version of sprouting. =)

Lets take a look at what we've got:


Above, we see a couple jars, and containers for them. For materials for sprouting, i suggest the following:

• large, wide-mouthed jar (Adam's peanut butter jars are perfect, wide mouth makes getting sprouts out much easier)
• window screening (the mesh stuff on porch doors, get it from hardware stores, be sure to wash thoroughly before using, seems to come covered in some weird oil)
• elastic bands (i like the ones that come on broccoli)
• drainage containers (recognize the Earth Balance margerine containers?)

Once you have the following, as well as some beans or seeds to sprout, you're ready to create life in your kitchen!


First, fill up the jar so you can't see the bottom when looking down. (You'll figure out what's good for you, but this is a good place to start.)



Next you'll want to fill the jar about 1/3rd of the way with water, make sure it covers all the seeds/beans with an extra inch or two. They'll expand quite a bit!

Leave it like this for 12-24hrs. If handy, empty and refill water once. Not necessary however.


After 24hrs, you'll want to drain out the water.....


....and then rinse the seeds/beans. You'll want to do this several times.


Once well-rinsed, use your container to allow the jar to sit on an angle to allow the extra water to drip out.

This is where things get a little busy - you'll want to rinse your sproutlings twice a day. I usually do this in the morning, and in the evening around dinnertime. Each time you rinse them, rinse several times, then leave to drain.

They say a cool, dark place is the best place for storing your sprouts. If you have room in a cupboard, that might be a good spot (as long as you won't forget about them!) I use a corner on the counter, seems to work fine!

After several days, you've hit paydirt!


Yummy, healthy sprouts waiting to be eaten!

I use a plastic container with holes and room for air to pass, otherwise they get mushy. Should last 3-5 days in the fridge, tho best to eat sooner than later.


Sprouts are an important part of my diet, so i've always got a couple jars on the go. In the pantry i keep all my sprouting seeds and beans together, and pre-mix my bean mix in a jar for quick and easy distribution.

When sprouting, best to keep the beans and seeds separate.

Some seeds and beans i like:

Beans (take 3-5 days to sprout)

• mung beans
• green lentils (other lentils are usually split and won't sprout)
• red aduki beans
• green peas (very yummy!)
• chickpeas

Seeds (take 4-7 days to sprout)

• broccoli seeds
• red clover seeds
• alfalfa seeds

A few other general tips:

• don't try to sprout kidney beans, there is a toxic substance in them that needs to be neutralized with cooking. Most other beans are fine however.
  
• alfalfa sprout shells are toxic, rinse in a large bowl of water when done to get rid of these (they float and sink, so easy to eliminate)

Enjoy!