Perhaps you’re into sprouting, but rather impatient when it comes to waiting on your sprouts to reach their peak. Sprouting normally takes anywhere from two to five days depending on what it is you’re sprouting such as nuts, seeds, beans, microgreens, vegetable seeds, or grains.
Before you start the sprouting process, it’s important you only select raw materials. If the food has been heated at all, such as blanched “raw” almonds that are pasteurized or hulled or processed grains such as rolled oats, then they won’t sprout at all. Raw foods contain live enzymes that are dormant to protect them out in nature, but when sprouted, these nutrients are released. This gives you morenutrition and makes them easier to digest. To ensure your sprouts develop as quickly as possible, consider some of these tips below and then get started!
1. Store Your Seeds Safely
After you’ve purchased your nuts, seeds, beans, or grains, be sure to store them properly. The safest storage method is to freeze them in a tightly sealed container. All items will last longer frozen than in the fridge or on the shelf. Most nuts, seeds, and grains will last anywhere from two to five years in the freezer while they may only last six months on a shelf. By storing your sprouting foods properly, you’ll get a better result and prevent them from going rancid.
2. Use Clean Water
It’s important to soak your materials in clean water, preferably filtered if possible. This will prevent any contamination in your sprouts from tap water and even help them to sprout more quickly.
3. Use a Good Container
Many people sprout foods in plastic cups or jars from home, but it’s best to use a proper sprouting container which you can buy at your local health food store or online. These containers are especially made to not only help sprouts develop more quickly, but also ensure they sprout properly. Sprouting containers have specially designed holes, which allow for the best air filtration that will give you the fastest, best results. Plus, they’re rather inexpensive.
4. Rinse Daily
The sprouting process happens through water, air, and light, so to take advantage of that process, be sure you rinse your sprouting seeds daily and add new water to the containers. This also ensures no bacteria develops and may help them sprout much faster. It only takes a few seconds too, so don’t worry about it taking up too much of your time.
5. Window Light
For the fastest growth, try to cover your sprouts with a piece of ventilated material such as a paper towel or thin cloth, and place them near a window. Sprouts do best in this type of atmosphere versus direct light or a completely dark space if you want them to sprout quickly, but safely. They should also be placed at room temperature, but not above 75 degrees.
Most sprouts take two to three daysbut some may take longer. It’s best to keep seeds sprouting on an ongoing process so you always have them fresh at hand! Sprouted beans, grains, microgreens, nuts, and seeds can add tons of flavor and crunch to your recipes, not to mention nutrition. For a complete guide on sprouting, check out Sprout People, which has all the information you could want and they even sell sprouting kits!
Do you sprout your own foods? What’s your best tip on sprouting them as quickly as possible?
Image source: Health Benefits of Eating Sprouts + Sprouting Tips
