How to Grow Sprouts

Sprouts Pack a Punch!

Sprouts, the inexpensive superfood, pack a punch. Did you know that sprouts supply the highest amount of vitamins, minerals, and enzymes per calorie of any other food on the planet? Growing sprouts is a quick and simple way to add fresh greens to your diet. Fresh sprouts contain everything needed for life and health: protein, minerals, vitamins, enzymes and fiber. Sprouts are easily digested and readily available to your body.

Excited to get started sprouting? Gather your supplies:

• Sprout seeds bought at Gardener’s at Rolling Green
• Cider vinegar or bleach
• A clean, sanitized wide-mouth mason jar
• For the top of the jar, a piece of cheese cloth secured with an elastic or a circle of screen to use with the mason jar ring to allow seeds to be rinsed and air to circulate.

How to grow your sprouts:

1. Disinfect your sprouts. All seeds have the possibility of carrying foodborne pathogens. Make sure your food is as safe as possible and always disinfect seeds before use. The most simple and effective way to disinfect 1 heaping tablespoon of sprout seeds is to use either 2 tablespoons of cider vinegar or 1 teaspoon bleach, per 1 cup hot water. Let the seeds soak for 15 minutes in a mason jar. Rinse seeds thoroughly with cool water until you not longer smell bleach or vinegar.

2. Add about 3 inches of cool, fresh water and let the seeds soak 8-12 hours.

3. Rinse out water, shaking well to get out any excess water. Keep the seeds draining by leaving the jar slightly tilted in a shallow bowl. Every day, twice a day, add water to the seeds then immediately drain, shaking the jar to get out as much water as possible. Don’t throw out your sprout water! It contains nutrients picked up from the  sprouts. Use it to water your plants and give them an extra nutritional boost. For the first 3-4 days, keep the jar in a cool, shady place, not in direct sunlight.

4. On the fourth day place the jar in indirect light to help the sprouts develop chlorophyll. Sprouts are ready to eat on the fifth or sixth day. Discontinue watering. If you prefer, you can put the sprouts in water and float away the seed hulls. Store sprouts in the refrigerator. Eat and enjoy!