Sprouting

[dasug]

I have a question regarding sprouting. I looked at some of the recipes to make breads, they talk about sprouted grains. How do you sprout? I sprouted mung beans many years ago, is it a similar process?

Thanks - Dasug....pronounced Dah-Shug

[healthyme]

I too am interested in sprouting now. I am moving forward with being more raw every week and have been adding things slowly to make sure I am doing them right. I did buy a sprouting jar yesterday with some lentils so plan to start that this weekend. Any tips and easy recipes to start with?

[kymberly]

Lentil sprout really quick, and only need to be soaked over night, wheatberries, sunflower seeds, mung beans should be soaked for about 24 hours. after they are soaked and drained cover the jar with some cheese cloth, attach with a rubber band and place at a slant, rinse twice a day. The best book on sprouting that I know is Vibrant living by James Levin, and Natalie Cedarquist. The time it takes to sprout depends on the warmth of the room, light and what you are sprouting. My favorite way to eat lentil sprouts in in a dip made in the food processor with 1 onion, 2 cloves garlic, 2 celery stalks, some cumin seed, apple cider vinager, olive oil, sea salt. Blend it all up, dip veggies in it amazing! Happy sprouting Kymberly

[rawmary]

Here's an article I came across on sprouting:

Basics of Sprouting:

1. Obtain seed for sprouting. Store in bug-proof containers, away from extreme heat/cold. Seed should be viable, and, to extent possible, free of chemicals.
2. Basic steps in sprouting are:
* measure out appropriate amount of seed, visually inspect and remove stones, sticks, weed seed, broken seeds, etc.
* rinse seed (if seed is small and clean, can usually skip this rinse)
* soak seed in water for appropriate time
* rinse soaked seed, put in sprouting environment for appropriate time
* service seeds (rinse) in sprouting environment as needed
* when ready, rinse seeds. Store in refrigerator, in sprouting environment or in other suitable container until ready to use. If not used within 12 hours, seeds should be serviced (rinsed) every 24 hours in refrigerator. Best to eat as soon as possible, as freshness is what makes sprouts special!

[Sundancer]

I've been sprouting for thirty years and it is so easy and worthwhile! I'd like to add a couple of things: make sure when you rinse your sprouts that you drain them well. I tip the jar upside down and instead of shaking it, I pull the jar up quickly. This does two things: gravity pulls the water out through the screen in the bottom more efficiently, and the sprouts don't get damaged by shaking. If the tiny shoots break, ths sprouts don't grow. I throw them in my warm spicy soups and salads. My two year old loves to just eat them plain. Yum!

[healthyme]

Thanks for all the tips, I will use them to get started on sprouting. I am looking forward to new tastes.