You can get alfalfa sprouts at every salad bar, and you can even buy them in little plastic boxes at the supermarket. If you spout seeds at home you can use a mix of flavorful seeds – radish, broccoli, clover, lentil and others inaddition to alfalfa.
I used to have some plastic screened lids that were intended to be used on canning jars for sprouting, but I have been told that in order to give sprouting seeds proper air cirulation they should be sprouted in a hemp bag. But jar or bag, seeds need to be soaked overnight first.
Well I had a mixture of seeds, but no hemp bag so I decided to put my soaked seeds in a nice old linen dish towel and gathered the ends together. I ran the seeds in the towel under the faucet two or three times a dayfor a good rinsing, and then set the towel to drain in my colander. Within 5 or 6 days I was ready to open the towel to the sun for a few hours to develop the green chlorophyll and take my first harvest.
A few sprout roots grew through the linen towel, but not enough to harm them – or the towel. With two towels, or bags, it is easy to keep up a rotating harvest system. A couple of teaspoons of seeds results in at least 2 cups of sprouts. When they have reached the size you like, you can remove them from the towel, give them a final rinse and drain them before putting them in the refrigerator where they will keep for a couple of days.
Sprouts are extremely nutritous, and a great addition to any salad or sandwich. Sprouting seeds are available at many health food stores. Don’t use seeds intended for planting. It’s nice to be able to bring in a harvest in February.
I haven’t tried the hemp bag, but hear that it’s a good way to go with especially tiny seeds. I recently stocked up with seeds from the Sprout People website. Adzukis, spicy sprouts, wheat berries…I can’t remember them all. The wheat berry sprouts are fabulous in homemade bread–just toss in a handful.
I think you could say we qualify as living the “sprout lifestyle.” Do you think it’ll ever catch on?
Robin at Bumblebee
I don’t know if it will catch on but its as easy as take-out. Your comment might be just the push I need to get some wheat berries into my bread. Thanks.
Pat, I used to grow sprouts years ago when our kids were young. What fun memories 🙂 I used a jar with a circle of cheescloth or net secured over the mouth with a rubber band, put them under the sink in the dark until they sprouted (Jar upside down, one side propped up to allow air into the jar) and brought them out onto the counter after they’d sprouted. I used alfalfa, mung beans, wheat, and I can’t remember what else. I even made up a song about growing them ( everything is a cue for a song..LOL) and my oldest daughter and I used to sing it and laugh our silly heads off 🙂
You’ve inspired me to grow some again!