GARDEN ADVICE Harvesting Your Own Sprouts

[RedSoxRosie]

Does anyone do any sprouting at home?
I was reading recently about how healthy they are and how easy it is to do, but I've never tried and don't know a thing about it.
I tend to regularly buy organic alfalfa and broccoli sprouts to use in my salads and the occasional sandwich.
Though I've never bought them, I know I like bean sprouts in my fried rice from Chinese restaurants, which I have to admit I haven't had in...FOREVER!!!! But I have never seen them used for anything else.
I've never seen or eaten wheat berries (that I'm aware of), but since I got my bread machine have been more interested in those as well, as I've heard people use them in breads.
What kinds do you sprout?
What do you start with? Like...what is an alfalfa sprout sprouted from? Broccoli sprouts aren't from actual broccoli, are they?????
What is the method or techniques you use?
Any tips or advice would be appreciated.

[kristen.c]

Juju sent me the link to a great blog posting all about sprouts. There's a video there too, which makes it a lot easier for me to understand. Hopefully it will help you out also!

Sprout. Sprout. Let It All Out! « Making Love In The Kitchen

[agpie]

just "harvested" my first alfalfa sprouts ... easy to do ... got a sprout top for $1.99 from my local health food store ... use a mason jar ... put in 2 Tbls alfalfa seeds with 6 Tbls of water overnight ... drain ... start rinsing seeds twice daily ... 4 days later ... sprouts are ready to eat ... ate mine on pita with veganaise and diced tomatoes ... already have some more in the sprout jar ... am very excited about this healthy eating ... kicked all meds and have been very happy with the great new recipes in my life ...

[RedSoxRosie]

Thanks for the info...just one thing, the article I read advised against using mason jars with the reasoning being that they are not manufactured for this purpose and often lead to the growth of mold.

I know it said to use a sprouting bag...whatever that is. I'm going to be looking into it more though.
I'm excited to get going...since I have NO green thumb whatsoever, I'm not going to count on my veggie seeds to be producing much of anything in my first time ever garden this year, so at least this seems like something even I can handle.

[thinkgreen]

It's super easy, just make sure to rinse them w/fresh water regularly. I haven't done sprouting in quite some time (probably 4 years or so), but recently at Goodwill I found this brand new sprouting jar from NOW for $2.99!I'm looking forward to growing my own again and saving some money. They're fresher when you grow them yourself.


NOW Foods - Sprouting Jar for Sprouting Needs- VitaCart Offers Discount Sprouting Jar for Sprouting Needs from NOW Foods

[RedSoxRosie]

Originally Posted by thinkgreen

It's super easy, just make sure to rinse them w/fresh water regularly. I haven't done sprouting in quite some time (probably 4 years or so), but recently at Goodwill I found this brand new sprouting jar from NOW for $2.99!I'm looking forward to growing my own again and saving some money. They're fresher when you grow them yourself.


NOW Foods - Sprouting Jar for Sprouting Needs- VitaCart Offers Discount Sprouting Jar for Sprouting Needs from NOW Foods

Awesome, thank you.

What do you start with? I mean seed-wise?

[oldtreehugginhippie]

A friend of mine told me to use the paper towel method. you wet down te paper towels reallt good. put the seeds on it and tehn a wet paper towel on top of it. then you wet the paper towed each day with a tiny sprinkling can. I don't know if it will work or not. But I think I will have to give it a try.

[ocean_brez]

This is a really interesting thread. Thanks girls!!!

[thinkgreen]

Originally Posted by RedSoxRosie

Awesome, thank you.

What do you start with? I mean seed-wise?

Alfalfa seeds are good. I have even sprouted a 'bean sprout mix'. I can't remember all the beans that were in it, but I know the mung bean was one of them. They sell the sprouting mixes at health food stores and of course online. I like the mung bean mix, some of the sprouts were really sweet tasting. They are larger than alfalfa sprouts and great for salads. I have never sprouted broccoli, but I hear those are some of the healthiest/nutritious sprouts.

Check out this site:
Sprout Nutrition

[oldtreehugginhippie]

Alyssa, What would one do with the broccoli , would you get regular broccoli seeds and just sprout them and eat the young sprouted plant?

Originally Posted by thinkgreen

Alfalfa seeds are good. I have even sprouted a 'bean sprout mix'. I can't remember all the beans that were in it, but I know the mung bean was one of them. They sell the sprouting mixes at health food stores and of course online. I like the mung bean mix, some of the sprouts were really sweet tasting. They are larger than alfalfa sprouts and great for salads. I have never sprouted broccoli, but I hear those are some of the healthiest/nutritious sprouts.

Check out this site:
Sprout Nutrition

[RedSoxRosie]

Originally Posted by thinkgreen

Alfalfa seeds are good. I have even sprouted a 'bean sprout mix'. I can't remember all the beans that were in it, but I know the mung bean was one of them. They sell the sprouting mixes at health food stores and of course online. I like the mung bean mix, some of the sprouts were really sweet tasting. They are larger than alfalfa sprouts and great for salads. I have never sprouted broccoli, but I hear those are some of the healthiest/nutritious sprouts.

Check out this site:
Sprout Nutrition

I think alfalfa is what I'll start with.
Like I mentioned originally, I usually buy those and broccoli sprouts on a regular basis, so I think those are the safest to start with since I know I like how they taste.

Thanks for all the tips!

[thinkgreen]

Originally Posted by oldtreehugginhippie

Alyssa, What would one do with the broccoli , would you get regular broccoli seeds and just sprout them and eat the young sprouted plant?

Yes, but you'll have to get large quantity. I'm sure it's way cheaper to buy the ones that are sold w/the intent for sprouting to eat than the ones sold in smaller quantity for planting. I have broccoli seed for planting, but only like 10, lol. You can put them on salads and sandwiches. I'm sure if you look online you could find other creative ways to eat them. I think I'm going to give the broccoli seeds a try, since I've never sprouted them before. From the site referenced above:

According to Paul Talalay, MD, in the American Cancer Society NEWS, “broccoli sprouts are better for you than full-grown broccoli, and contain more of the enzyme sulforaphane which helps protect cells and prevents their genes from turning into cancer.” His findings are consistent with several epidemiologic studies that have shown that sprouts contain significant amounts of vitamins A, C and D. Sprouts are widely recognized by nutrition conscious consumers and health care professionals as a “wonder food.”

[RedSoxRosie]

From Natural Health magazine:

Eat more sprouts

If you knew that sprouts could help fight cancer and lower cholesterol, would you munch on them more often?

By Rachel Seligman

What if we told you they were high in vitamins C and A, beta-carotene, protein, and fiber? Before you race off to buy this health boost, follow our tips for using sprouts such as alfalfa, broccoli, mung bean, and radish.

BUYING AND STORING: Choose refrigerated varieties that are crisp and fresh, not wilted or musty-smelling. In the 1990s, sprouts were linked to several instances of food poisoning, so now most store-bought sprouts—including organic ones—are treated with a USDA-approved compound known as calcium hypochlorite to help prevent bacterial contamination. Cover and refrigerate any unused sprouts; they"ll keep for up to 10 days.

GROWING: Use a kit (The Coolest Sprouting Seeds on our Planet! sells them) and add water, and you'll have seeds sprouting in just a few days.

EATING: Radish and onion sprouts are spicy while alfalfa and pea are sweet. Mung bean and soybean sprouts are hardy enough to stand up to brief cooking and can be used in omelets, stir-fries, and casseroles; more delicate sprouts like alfalfa will wilt if cooked and work best in salads and sandwiches.

HEALING: Many sprouts are being studied for the potential health benefits of their phytochemicals; broccoli sprouts, for example, contain a compound called sulforaphane that may help fight cancer, according to animal research at Johns Hopkins School of Medicine. And a 2004 pilot study from the Tokyo University of Agriculture found that eating broccoli sprouts for one week raised good (HDL) cholesterol and lowered bad (LDL).


Also:
Alfalfa:
The mild, nutty flavor of these delicate sprouts makes them ideal in sandwiches, but they're also perfect in salads and soups. (They wilt easily under heat, though, so are best served raw.) "Alfalfa sprouts contain saponins, which break down and decrease the absorption of cholesterol and fatty acids, making them extremely heart healthy."

Broccoli:
These gently spicy sprouts are also best raw in salads or sandwiches because heat diminishes their health benefits, says a study published in teh Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemisty. Researchers at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine found they can contain up to 100 times more sulforaphane-an antioxidant that helps mobilize cancer-fighting enzymes-than "grown-up" broccoli.

Lentils:
Raw peppery lentil sprouts-which come in blue, green, orange, red, white and other hues-are terrific in tabbouleh or by the handful. They also keep their flavor and consistency in cooked dishes like stews and stir-fries. They are a rich source of vitamin C and folate, which is essential for brain and nerve health.

Soybeans:
These hardy white shoots, with their jaunty greenish heads, stand up well to cooking and are good in curries, casseroles, and even omelets. Soybean sprouts are high in vitamin K (which can help control blood glucose) and isoflavones (which may protect menopausal women against osteoporosis, heart disease, and breast cancer).

Wheat Berries:
Sweet precursors to wheatgrass, these "berries" can moisten homemade breads and muffins. They're loaded with selenium, a mineral that regulates immune, muscle, and thyroid function and acts as a free-radical-fighting antioxidant.

[oldtreehugginhippie]

I got my mung beans and alfalfa seeds yesterday for sprouting. I also got the special lid for a jar. looks like a screen on top. I am anxious to try this for the first time. They had a mixture in a bag, but after examining it I found it was not organic and was I really surprised. because it was my favorite old hippie health food store and it is not like her to sell non-organic stuff.

I am glad I thought to check that bag over really good. I just could not find the word organic anywhere and it concerned me so I kept looking. when I could not find it anywhere I asked the owner and she looked it over too and she too was surprised it was not organic. You have to really read things sometimes to find they really aren't organic. and I read everything before I buy.

So now I have my sprouting seeds and I will start today. I have my instructions and I know what to do with them. Lets see how it goes. Kind of an experiment for me. I always buy sprouts. and they are not cheap. But more importantly, there is no selection. it is alfalfa or nothing where I live. but the seeds sure where cheap enough. and they were organic seeds. but I had to buy them from the bulk bins. it was the only way I could find organic ones.

Does anyone have a supplier they use to buy these seeds from? I would love to find a place I could order them through the mail. I happened to be in that neck of the woods yesterday, but normally it would be a 45 minute drive to go to the health food store and that is a lot of gas. I think it would be cheaper to pay the postage then drive an hour and a half. let me know if there is anyplace that is tried and true that I can buy the spouting seeds from

[RedSoxRosie]

Well, I went to my health food store yesterday and bought a sprouting jar (with the screen top like pam mentioned) (by NOW) and some alfafa seeds to start with. It cost me $10 altogether and I have enough alfalfa to probably last the rest of my life!!! I didn't get a chance to start it last night, but it's on my list for this weekend.

As for suppliers, the article I read listed these sites:

Organic Sprouting Seeds from Mumm's
Sproutman, Books & Sprouts
The Coolest Sprouting Seeds on our Planet!

But I'm sure there are others out there. I'll let you know what I find.

[oldtreehugginhippie]

So is "Now" a good place for me to start with to look online to find seeds from?

Originally Posted by RedSoxRosie

Well, I went to my health food store yesterday and bought a sprouting jar (by NOW) and some alfafa seeds to start with. It cost me $10 altogether and I have enough alfalfa to probably last the rest of my life!!! I didn't get a chance to start it last night, but it's on my list for this weekend.

[momof4inmi]

Ok. I am sorry if this is going to sound like a really stupid question. But what exactly do you use the sprouts for? Just eating on sandwiches?
Like I said...sorry for the stupid ? but I am just starting on the journey to healthier, organic eating. TIA.

[RedSoxRosie]

Originally Posted by momof4inmi

Ok. I am sorry if this is going to sound like a really stupid question. But what exactly do you use the sprouts for? Just eating on sandwiches?
Like I said...sorry for the stupid ? but I am just starting on the journey to healthier, organic eating. TIA.

I'm sure everyone is different. I like alfalfa sprouts and broccoli sprouts in my salads, sandwiches and wraps.
Though I am not a stir fry person, I know friends of mine use bean sprouts in their stir fry.
The wheat berries, which I've yet to try in any form at all people use in breads.
I'm sorry to say that I've got all my supplies and haven't done the sprouting yet! Work and mommy life seems to always get in the way...my goal is this weekend to get a move on!

[RedSoxRosie]

Originally Posted by oldtreehugginhippie

So is "Now" a good place for me to start with to look online to find seeds from?

I don't know if they are the best, but the supplies I got from the store were NOW brand, and I do buy quite a bit from them for supplements and such, so I trust them.

[oldtreehugginhippie]

I started with the Alfalfa seeds and they worked great. they were really good. I rinsed them twice a day for about 5 days and they were perfect.

I got mung beans soaking now and tomorrow morning I will drain and rinse them and rinse them twice a day for 7 days. they said that 7 days was the peak for mung beans. I can't wait. those alfalfa were so nice and crispy I ate them on a wrap. it was yummy.

If it hadn't have been for this thread I would not of thought of it. I used to do things like this when the kids where little, but it has been 15 20 years since I have fooled with anything like this. Thanks for all the reminders of my old ways. I need to get back to them and stay there. LOL I used to live so naturally but like many others got caught up in work and the house and well sometimes things you like go by the wayside. I am back to be at that wayside again. Maybe I can get my health under control with some of this healthy stuff again. I am staying away from store brought anything right now. if it is pre-made. I am not buying.

I have been natural and organic most of my life, but I had gotten away from it a tiny bit over the last 5 years. and I really needed to be all organic these last 5 years of my life.

I really enjoy this site. It has made me be a better me. It has made me look deeper into what I was eating and just myself in general. thank you all

[RedSoxRosie]

Originally Posted by oldtreehugginhippie

If it hadn't have been for this thread I would not of thought of it. I used to do things like this when the kids where little, but it has been 15 20 years since I have fooled with anything like this. Thanks for all the reminders of my old ways. I need to get back to them and stay there. LOL I used to live so naturally but like many others got caught up in work and the house and well sometimes things you like go by the wayside. I am back to be at that wayside again. Maybe I can get my health under control with some of this healthy stuff again. I am staying away from store brought anything right now. if it is pre-made. I am not buying.

I have been natural and organic most of my life, but I had gotten away from it a tiny bit over the last 5 years. and I really needed to be all organic these last 5 years of my life.

I really enjoy this site. It has made me be a better me. It has made me look deeper into what I was eating and just myself in general. thank you all

Pam, I'm glad you are enjoying it here, and you are finding your way "back"
It's easy for us to become sucked up in the speed of the world today.
It's nice when you can find a place where there are many like-minded people to remind you of the old and also introduce you to the new.

[frogmama]

So my favorite date restaurant is a stir-fry "buffet" restaurant and I always fill the bowl with bean sprouts - I love them! To me they are just like noodles. Since our last date I've been giving thought to growing them. So my question is this:

Can you freeze mung bean sprouts? I hope so. I'd think so, but has anyone tried it and what do you do?

I once bought canned ones and man those were gross. I just cant plan my "sprouting" with absolute certainty that a week from that day I'd be able to use them in that prime harvesting range.

[OHeather]

Good question. I don't know the answer to that though. I'd like to hear the response though.

[thickbluebug]

I wished I would have gotten my jar and top from the health food store. I bought mine off ebay with extra organic seeds for $25 shipped. It's the gallon sized and had 1 cup of organic seed w it.
It takes us 4 to 5 days and we do the rinsing everyday like agpie.

I have thought about trying broccoli and mung and need to order the seeds.

[Foggy]

I used to have a sprouter that had 3 or 4 layers to it.. kind of like a tower. Found it at a thrift store for .50. I used it for a couple of years until one of the children cracked a few of the cup bins.

Now I use a mason jar with a straining lid ... dh bought the lid for me at a natural foods store (Greenlife in Chattanooga).

I have sprouted radish and mung beans mostly. We just recently bought a pre-made mix that has mung beans, garbanzo beans, broccoli, and I'm not sure what else in it. I can't wait to try that mix and use the sprouts on a salad. YUM!

[frogmama]

Foggy - your idea has me brainstorming ways to create a tray method. At first, I thought about those mini sand sifter trays - but I don't know if they are food grade. Then I thought about using restaurant tumblers. They stack loosely, with about an inch and a half to two inches between cup bottoms. If you drill several holes in the bottom of each cup and leave the bottom one w/o holes, you can have your own version. I have the 20 oz. cups like this, but i've seen kid ones that are wide - probably 3 inch base by 4 inches high that would be PERFECT. Like these. They would be even more ideal in a dark color such as red or blue, if you prefer white sprouts.

Hopefully, if you had a restaurant in your area that uses these, you could ask them to save some cracked ones for you??

[Foggy]

This is what the sprouter looked like that I used to have if that helps you visualize more of what I was trying to describe.

Amazon.com: Kitchen Crop Sprouter - 3 Tray: Patio, Lawn & Garden