Growing sprouts is actually a pretty simple process. Sprouting happens in nature without the help of human hands, so it is pretty intuitive and hands off overall. You will be surprised at how easy it is to do and then you can enjoy them year round even if you live in a colder climate.
Here are 6 simple steps to growing your own sprouts:
Step 1: Take your sprouting seed of choice (these could be alfalfa, broccoli, sunflower, chickpea, mung bean etc…) and give them a good wash. You can do this by placing them in a colander or strainer and just washing them under running cold water. If you are using beans, pick through them to remove any stones.
Step 2: Get yourself a large mason or sprouting jar, or a large bowl. Place 1-2 tbsp of small seed, or 3-4 tbsp of larger beans in your jar or bowl and cover with 4-5 times the volume of water. What you are doing in this stage is rehydrating and activating your seeds, so they need lots of water! Allow them to soak overnight.
Step 3: After your seeds have soaked, drain off the extra water, and then give them another good rinse and drain well.
Step 4: Let your rehydrated seeds/beans rest either in your sprouting jar or mason jar, with a mesh covering over the opening. Store the jar upside down, or in a colander over a bowl. If you don’t have a mesh covering, you can use cheesecloth or even a (clean;)) nylon stocking placed over top. Sprouting jars are easily found online or at a health food store.
*Note: The idea is that you want to be able to rinse your seeds several times a day, and then give them time to drain so that they do not end up sitting in a pool of water. They need lots of air flow and they need to be well drained in order to prevent the growth of any mould. If any mould forms, discard the batch and start over.
Step 5: Rinse your sprouts or beans 2-3 times a day. Depending on your seed of choice, you should begin to see sprouts (little tails) within 2-3 days. The sprouting process is much faster in hot/humid climates.
Step 6: Transfer your grown sprouts to a glass container and store them safely in the fridge once they are ready to eat and enjoy!
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