Making Sprouts, An Illustrated Guide
Emma Holister wrote a thorough guide to sprouting and gave me permission to post it here, a few years ago. When I moved this website from one webhost to another, somehow I lost all the pictures. So if you go to
http://candida-international.blogspot.com/2009/08/growing-sprouts-step-by-step-photos.html
you can see the full article.
I’ve been sprouting for many years, off and on, and I picked up a few tips from Emma. I’m not as well-organized or tidy as she must be to have created this article. I use canning jars with their rings, and cut inserts to the jars from window screening. Also, in our house, the sunflower seed sprouts usually get eaten within 24 hours of starting the sprout process! They are so much more yummy that way than just raw, I think.
–Zana
I eat TONS of raw sunflower sprouts! If you learn more, do come and share!
Thank you. It turns out that I did some checking, and it seems that “phytates” or phytic acid is a factor for some sprouts, especially legumes… and thus it may be a good idea. I continue to blanch them, but not sunflower sprouts, though I have it (the continuation of blanching)under consideration at this point.
Sorry I didn’t reply sooner. I don’t know, and I just haven’t had time to google it. I usually use mungs and lentils in stir-fry dishes, so they get some heat.
Hi. Wonderful article, and very fine pictures. I have been sprouting (mung beans, lentils and chic peas)for a few years, and have been “blanching” them – in hot or boiling water for about 45 seconds, after they’re done and before eating them. I do this because someone at the Co-op said it should be done. Does this need to be done, and am I harming the fragile nutrients which are the “heart” of the sprouts? Thanks much in advance.
Jim, I get seeds from my local health food store mainly, sometimes online. I haven’t actually thought about non-hybrid or not!
I am just beginning the process of sprouting and I was wondering where do you get your beans from? Do non hybrid seeds make a difference? Thanks
I am going to do this with bird seed for my chickens in the winter.
Hi Zana
Thanks for the reply but silly me has just realised the seeds must be covered as I suppose what is being done is simulating planting the seeds in the earth to make them send out roots. Still they used to come out anyway, I’m sure, without covering but it does sound feasible to cover. I mentioned this to my wife so being WOMAN we now have one bottle covered & one uncovered :-)
I’ve done it both ways myself, Brian. This article is a guest post and this is her opinion.
Glad you are sprouting again!
I wondered why the bottles containing the seeds need to be covered after rinsing, don’t they need light. We made sprouts many years ago and can’t remember covering them. Your article is great and has got us going sprouting again, many thanks.
This is the best food which you ever find…Its give you lots of energy and instead of breakfast you can have this daily then you look more healthier and more strong. I too eat it daily and I feel active all the time.