To get your own sprouts, you need very little special equipment, you don't need soil and sunlight. The germination process will only take a few days, but the availability of the vitamins and minerals in the seed will increase significantly over this period. For example, in sprouted soybeans, the amount of vitamin C increases 5-6 times, vitamin A - 3 times. The amount of riboflavin and niacin (a form of vitamin B) increases by 370% and 200%, respectively.
Steps
Step 1. Wash the seeds in warm water
Remove any damaged seeds.
The best germination rates are shown by seeds specially produced for sprouting. As a rule, the manufacturer tests his product, which gives high germination rates. As a last resort, buy organic seeds. Most inorganic seeds are not suitable for germination
Step 2. Place 15-30 ml of seeds, or 60-120 ml of legumes (beans or lentils) in a 1 liter germination jar
If you are using a 2 liter jar, you should put 30-60 ml of seeds in it, or 120-240 ml of legumes.
Step 3. Fill the jar with warm water
Place the jar upright and let the seeds absorb the water.
- You can also add 1 teaspoon (5 ml) citric acid per liter of soak water. This is optional, but this will increase the germination rate.
- Soak the seeds in water for 5-6 hours.
- When germinating seeds of very hard-shelled legumes, the soak should be extended to 36 hours.
Step 4. Close the jar with the germination lid
- The germination lid is a regular lid, only with a plastic or metal mesh. When you turn the lid over, the water will drain and the seeds will be trapped by the mesh.
- Germination covers come in a variety of sizes. Choose a lid with a mesh size that prevents seeds from spilling out.
Step 5. Pour the water out of the jar
Then pour the water back into the jar, rinse the seeds, and drain the water again.
Step 6. Place the jar with its neck down, but not strictly vertically, but at a certain angle
This will allow the remaining water to escape and air to circulate.
Step 7. Continue rinsing the seeds at least twice a day
- Always hold the jar with the neck down, at an angle. This will allow excess moisture to escape and air to circulate, which in turn will protect seeds and sprouts from deterioration.
- If you live in an arid climate, you should rinse your seeds three times a day. Mung beans require more moisture - they should be rinsed 3-4 times a day, regardless of the climate.
- When the seeds germinate, use a larger mesh cover for better drainage and air circulation.
Step 8. After the seeds are fully germinated, place the jar in a place that is accessible to sunlight
This stage usually takes one to five days, depending on the seeds. The sprouts will then begin to produce chlorophyll, which will give them a green color, and at the same time, their nutritional value will begin to increase.
- The sprouts can be eaten after the appearance of the first 2 leaves, and the release from the seed coat. Try the sprouts before the root has developed and looks like a small thread. After the root starts branching, the sprouts will no longer be as tasty.
- On average, the germination process takes: sunflower - 1-2 days; clover - 4 days; broccoli - 3 days; alfalfa 1-5 days; mung beans - 3-4 days.
Advice
- After the seeds begin to germinate, they will begin shedding seed coats, which will float up during rinsing. A lid with a coarser mesh should be fitted to allow the shells to escape with the water. This will prevent spoilage of the sprouts.
- In theory, you can get by with one germination lid. But it is much more convenient to have multiple covers, especially if you are germinating several types of seeds at the same time, or the seeds differ significantly in size.
- The nutritional value of sprouts depends on what kind of seeds you are growing. Sunflower seeds are rich in lecithin and vitamin D, onion sprouts are rich in protein and vitamins A, C and D. Clover is rich in isoflavin, and alfalfa sprouts contain about 26 percent protein.
- After the seeds are fully germinated, remove the seed coats and non-germinated change. To do this, place the sprouts in a container with water, and gently stir them by hand. The shells will pop up and you can remove them from the bulk.
- The ideal temperature for germination is 21 degrees.