How to grow sprouts

How To Grow Sprouts In Your Kitchen

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How to Grow Sprouts Successfully

Hello friends! Learn how to grow sprouts with success in your own home. It’s not only fun and good for you but it also gives your foods an added spark of color and flavor.

grow sprouts

You don’t have to be a gardener or have a green thumb to grow sprouts. It’s actually real easy and does not require much space either.

For best results sprouts can be grown indoors year round. Below are a few recommendations for growing sprouts with success.

Supplies:

I recommend this stackable sprouter tray as it provides circulation for the seeds during the growing process and protects the seeds from getting moldy. Another feature is it has two divider trays so you could grow four different seeds at one time.

Botanical Interests

If you are looking for a gift to give someone or you may interested in it for yourself then check out this spectacular gift set!  It includes the sprouting tray, some seeds to get started and a beautiful calendar. 

What are Sprouts?

Sprouts are seeds that have germinated and become very young plants. Sprouting seeds take anywhere between 3-7 days to harvest. Many offer some of the highest level of nutrition when compared to a mature plant.

Health Benefits of Sprouts

Many sprout plants provide an excellent source of fiber, manganese, riboflavin and copper. They also contain protein, thiamin, niacin, Vitamin B6, Vitamin E, pantothenic acid, iron, magnesium, phosphorus and potassium.

Edible sprouts such as alfalfa, broccoli, mung bean and radish are excellent sources of antioxidants and essential amino acids thus providing amazing health benefits.

Some sprout plants may fight and prevent cancers – including throat, lung, colon, breast, bladder and skin cancers and decrease the risk of heart disease

Lab studies have shown broccoli sprouts contain compounds that have anticancer properties. Other studies suggest they can help eliminate environmental toxins and protect against some viruses and bacterial infections. Although, more research is needed to confirm these effects.

One study even stated broccoli sprouts are good for the gut and may protect against stomach ulcers which in return decreases the risk for stomach cancer.

Seeds for growing sprouts

Grains like wheat, Alfalfa Sprouting Seeds, and barley, Lentil Sprouting Seeds, Garbanzo Bean Sprouts, Organic Bean Mix, mung beans and soybeans are all types of seeds that can be germinated.

Some other seeds that are popular include Adzuki Bean Sprouts, Broccoli Sprouting Seeds, Buckwheat, Fenugreek, Organic Salad Mix Sprouting Seeds, Purple Kohlrabi, China Rose Radish (my favorite), Red Clover and Sandwich Mix Seeds.

Overwhelmed by all the choices? Then try a Sprout Sampler Seed Collection. 

Find the full line and photos of organic sprouts here.  

The photo below is of the china rose radish sprouts. Aren’t they beautiful?  Pretty tasty too. They are my favorite as they have a little kick to them. 

China Rose Radish Sprouts

Let’s Get Started:

Below are instructions when using 3-4 different sprouting seeds.

Day One

First Day: Soak Seeds

For your first time sprouting I recommend using 1/2 Tablespoon of each seed and place them in individual bowls. After you have experienced growing your first batch you can increase the amount of seeds or use manufacturer’s recommendations.

Add room temperature water and soak seeds in about three times their depth and allow to soak 8-12 hours.

Sprouts soaking Day 1

Day Two

Transfer seeds to the sprouting tray.

Over the sink pour the seeds into the Seed Sprouter Tray into each divided section.

Spread seeds evenly in a single layer in the sprouter tray.

Gently rinse seeds with room temperature water.

Place tray onto drain base and put water diffusing lid in place on top tray.

Place the tray in a warm location and out of direct sunlight.

Optimal temperature for sprouting is 70° Fahrenheit.

Later that same day rinse seeds again with room temperature water.

Sprouts Day 2

Day Three thru Day Seven

Rinse seeds twice daily until sprouts are 1″ – 2″ and ready to harvest.

Third Day: See seed sprouts beginning to emerge.

Sprouts Day 2

During the beginning of the sprouting process it may look like your sprouts are growing mold.

The tiny hairs are easiest to see before you rinse the sprouts, as the water makes the hairs cling to the main root. These fine roots are not mold.

Although this picture is of a different seed we have enlarged it to show these are the tiny hairs as mentioned above and NOT mold.

Sprouting Seeds

If at anytime during the growing process should your seeds become moldy or have an unpleasant odor you should consider throwing them out, sanitizing your sprouting tray and starting all over.

Fourth Day:

Sprouts Day 4

Fifth Day:

Sprouts Day 5

Sixth Day:

Sprouts Day 6

Ready to Harvest: 

Removing Hulls:

Your sprouts should be ready to harvest anywhere from 3-7 days.

Working with one set of sprouts at a time remove from tray and place in a large bowl.

Fill bowl with cool water to cover sprouts.

Gently press down on the sprouts and the hulls will float to the top.

Swish the sprouts around and repeat step 3 until desired amount of hulls removed.

You may not get all the hulls removed and that is okay because they are edible.

Harvesting Sprouts

Drying Sprouts:

Before adding sprouts to your meal and/or prior to storing they need to be as dry as possible. To achieve this, place sprouts in a salad spinner and spin several times to remove excess water.

Drying Sprouts

Storing Sprouts:

Any leftover sprouts can be stored in the refrigerator just like any other vegetable. I like using these Green Box storage containers as they help preserve freshness and extend the life of produce and baked goods. I like this kit because it includes a variety size of boxes with lids and different sized bags. All in which can be reused.

Green Storage Containers

How sprouts are used with meals

Sprouts are eaten raw, usually as an addition to salad, sandwiches, or juice.

Below I have added the china rose sprouts to my chickpea salad.

Salad with sprouts

 Are sprout plants safe

At one time sprouts could be found in the produce section at grocery stores but many stores have quit selling  sprouts  due to potential food safety risks.

There has been some controversy on this subject but, if you care for sprout plants as recommended and grow them indoors you should be fine.  Please keep reading below.

Improper care can cause contamination and lead to foodborne illnesses such as E. coli, Listeria and Salmonella.

Store bought sprouts (if you can find them) are at the greatest risk of contamination compared to home grown.

Recommendations from the FDA claim cooking sprouts thoroughly can reduce the risk of illness as cooking kills harmful bacteria.

Before deciding to grow or consuming sprouts it is best to consult with your physician as there could be major interactions between sprouts and certain medications. For example, if you are taking Warfarin (Coumadin) there is a “MAJOR INTERACTION” with Alfalfa Sprouts according to WebMD.

Other Sources:

Disclaimer:

This Web site — Information About Herbs, Botanicals and Other Products — is for general health information only. This Web site is not to be used as a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis or treatment of any health condition or problem. Users of this Web site should not rely on information provided (on this Web site) for their own health problems. Any questions regarding your own health should be addressed to your personal physician or other healthcare provider.

I AM SO EXCITED THAT YOU ARE READING ON HOW TO GROW SPROUTS. PLEASE COME BACK AND LET US KNOW WHICH SEEDS YOU GREW.

OTHER PRODUCTS WE LOVE

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BUY IT: Cook Works by Art + Cook 13-Piece Super Slicer on Amazon
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BUY PAPERBACK BOOK:  The Sprouting Book: How to Grow and Use Sprouts to Maximize Your Health and Vitality

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