What are sprouts?
When a seed begins to transform into a plant by producing roots, shoots, and leaves, it is referred to as sprouting or germinating. The sprouts or shoots are what is gathered and consumed. They provide a satisfying crunch to other foods, are nourishing, and easily digestible.
Why is sprouting seeds a good prepping skill?
Including sprouting in your prepping arsenal can offer a minimum of five advantages.
1. Nutrition
Living enzymes within sprouts make them a vital source of live food that can further elevate our nutritional intake for optimal health.
The Importance of Enzymes
Let me provide you with an instance of the significance and operation of enzymes for your well-being. Have you ever experienced dropping an apple that caused a bruise? Subsequently, have you noticed that the bruise diminishes over time? This is because enzymes beneath the skin are actively disintegrating the apple until it disappears completely. Similarly, the enzymes in your digestive system function in the same way.
Our bodies rely on these powerful enzymes to break down food into essential components like vitamins, minerals, carbohydrates, and protein that are vital for maintaining life and energy. Without them, we are depleting our body’s resources, which it was not meant to handle. It’s like taking from one source to pay another, as the saying goes, we are “robbing Peter to pay Paul.”
Fortunately, the body has the ability to digest vital nutrients through an abundance of digestive enzymes, such as amylase in the saliva, along with gastric lipase, renin, and pepsin in the stomach, combined with hydrochloric acid. The chyme, or partially digested food, travels to the small intestine where pancreatic enzymes and liver bile work together to further break down the food, allowing for nutrient absorption. However, an inconsistency exists within this regulatory system.
With continuous misuse, the body is compelled to generate all the digestive enzymes, leading to its eventual breakdown. As a consequence, we observe an escalation in dreadful illnesses like diabetes, heart disease, and cancer among others. Rather than the food enzymes breaking down our essential nutrients, it is our bodies that are deteriorating, leaving us to question why.
Essential Enzymes, Amino Acids, and Protein
Alleviating this discrepancy is accomplished by consuming sprouts. Specifically, alfalfa sprouts are among the most beneficial nourishment options for humans due to their abundance of essential nutrients such as calcium, copper, folate, iron, magnesium, manganese, phosphorus, potassium silicon, zinc, and Vitamins C, B, D, E, and K.
Sprouts are not only packed with nutrients, but they also contain live enzymes. Including sprouts in your long-term food storage can provide you with the same fresh and crunchy taste of vegetables while utilizing all the vital nutrients for your body’s health.
During difficult times when fresh protein sources such as meat and dairy may be scarce, sprouts can be a valuable alternative due to their higher levels of essential amino acids. Some of these amino acids may increase by up to 30%, and the proteins in sprouts are also easier to digest, making them a desirable option.
Examples of Nutrition in Sprouted Seeds
- Broccoli sprouts are one of the most nutritious… eating one ounce of broccoli sprouts gives you as many antioxidants as 3 pounds of mature broccoli!
- Lentils, chickpeas, and other sprouted legumes are protein-rich .
- Mung beans sprout fast and are high in both protein and fiber .
Take a look at this compilation of the most common sprouts and their nutritional values.
2. Garden Indoors All Year
Indoor food cultivation is possible even amidst a blizzard.
Sprouting seeds can provide a year-round supply of fresh greens, making it an ideal option for those living in extreme climates with limited outside growing months. It eliminates the need for any physical labor such as digging in the dirt or worrying about frost damage.
Isn’t it cool?
If you are facing a short outdoor growing season, consider these 13 quick-growing vegetables as viable options.
3. Security
If you have a security reason for not gardening outside, you can still have fresh greens by sprouting indoors. In fact, you can hide them even more if needed by putting your spouters inside a cabinet, under a bed, etc.
Light is not necessary for the growth of sprouts. While sunlight helps to activate chlorophyll and make the sprouts green at the end of their growth cycle, it is not essential for their taste or nutritional value.
4. Portability
It is possible to grow seeds while traveling by bringing your sprouter along for the ride or placing it in a backpack. During emergency situations, a significant amount of food can be transported in minimal storage space as demonstrated in example number five.
5. Shelf Life and Compact Storage
The shelf life of sprouting seeds varies between 1 to 5 years, depending on the type. If refrigerated, their lifespan can be doubled, whereas freezing can prolong it by 4 to 5 times. For further information about storing and the shelf life of sprouted seeds, check out this resource.
Although sprouting seeds are typically tiny, their growth is exponential. Just one pound of alfalfa sprouting seeds can yield up to 7 pounds of nourishing food.
Are there any drawbacks to sprout seeds?
While sprouted seeds are undoubtedly beneficial, it’s crucial to acknowledge and factor in their two limitations: water content and calorie density.
Sprouts are not calorie dense.
While sprouts are rich in nutrients, it is worth highlighting that they are not high in calories, which is also necessary. You can learn more about the role of calories in food preparation by clicking here.
Safe water is required.
The second possible negative aspect of sprouting during emergency scenarios is the requirement for a considerable amount of water. Soaking the sprouts at first and rinsing them twice each day is necessary. Growing the sprouts might be challenging, or even impossible, if safe water is not readily accessible.
But the water that’s used to soak sprouts can be used in various ways instead of being thrown away, as it contains essential nutrients. It can be consumed directly, used for making soup stock or to rehydrate dehydrated or freeze-dried foods.
How do I grow sprouts?
Sprouting is such a simple process that children can easily perform it. In reality, a great deal of us have sprouted bean seeds as a science experiment. If you are capable of measuring and washing seeds, sprouting is within your reach!
All you need are sprouting seeds, a sprouter kit (refer to the information below), moderate moisture, warmth, and a few minutes of your daily time. There is no need for any elaborate equipment or expertise.
Simply sprinkle some seeds in your sprouter kit, cover with water, soak overnight, drain, and lightly water for a few days. Then, voilà , watch them grow! Easy peasy! Soon you will have a bountiful crop of healthy sprouts to incorporate into your long-term food storage plan!
For best results, follow the directions that come with your sprouter and with your seeds.
Which sprouting seeds are best for beginners?
Bean and pea sprouts are among the preferred choices of sprouting seeds for novice growers. Nevertheless, any plant that one would usually consume its leaves and stems may be sprouted.
What equipment do I need for sprouting seeds?
You don’t need any particular equipment to sprout. A sprouter is all that’s necessary. Here are some examples to choose from:
- Mason Jar with screen – If you have a mason jar, you can buy a screen insert and ring and have a go. Or you could buy a complete set like this or this .
- Four Tray Sprouter – The trays of this version allow you to either sprout a variety of different seeds and beans in one compact footprint or enable you to stagger your growth by starting the trays a couple of days apart, so you have fresh sprouts constantly at the ready. Watch this video to see how this one works.
- The Easy Sprout Sprouter – Simple, compact, and likely the most popular sprouter of all. This one is a must if you want to sprout on the go. Here’s an instructional video to show you just how easy it is!
You’ll be amazed at how fast sprouts can spoil. With these methods, you can produce small batches of sprouts that are consumable in just a few days.
Are sprouts safe to eat?
If any fresh produce, which is consumed raw or requires light cooking, is contaminated, there is a possibility of developing a foodborne illness. In case you opt for sprouting, then you should take certain precautions.
- follow food safety guidelines,
- use high-quality seeds suitable for home sprouting produced in a food-grade facility,
- follow manufacturer instructions,
- always use clean hands and clean equipment, and
- never eat sprouts that are off in color, smell, appearance, etc.
What kind of sprouting seeds should I buy?
Numerous kinds of sprouts are available. There are countless seeds, beans, lentils, and nuts that you can sprout by yourself. Trying out different types of sprouts is necessary to determine your and your family’s preferences. To identify your preferred sprouts, it is recommended to try out various options. To do so, you can find sampler packs containing a variety of sprouts like this one.
However, my preferred method of cultivating and consuming them is by combining the two varieties for a gourmet delight in salads, sandwiches, and as a garnish for stews and soups.
How to sprout at home
Following good hygiene practices is crucial when growing sprouts at home. The sprouting process can be divided into six stages.
Step one entails identifying an appropriate location within your residence.
It is recommended to choose a bright and well-ventilated location for sprouting, but avoid direct sunlight. The ideal spot should have a cool and consistent level of light, such as a north-facing windowsill or worktop. It is important to ensure good air circulation, so avoid placing the sprouting container in a cupboard and opt for a location with good airflow.
Prepare your equipment in step 2.
Thoroughly cleaning any equipment used for sprout growth in hot and soapy water from the beginning is crucial. Additionally, it is important to wash your hands before handling the equipment, seeds, or sprouts.
Step 3 involves the process of immersing in liquid.
It is necessary to immerse the seeds in water for a maximum of 12 hours before to rehydrate them and promote germination. Begin by putting the seeds in a container such as a jar or bowl. After that, add water, using an amount that is approximately 2-3 times the size of the seeds. Keep the container in a cool place devoid of light for a span of 8-12 hours.
The fourth step involves rinsing.
After soaking your seeds and initiating the germination process, proceed to rinse and drain them regularly until the sprouts appear. Rinse them with cool water about 2-3 times daily to prevent bacteria accumulation. You may refer to the corresponding instructions based on the equipment you are utilizing. For optimal germination, maintain a temperature of around 20°C, not too high to foster bacteria or mould growth.
Step number 5 is to ensure that there is continuous circulation of air.
To promote growth of your seeds, it is necessary to maintain their moisture levels without making them too damp. Proper airflow can be ensured by scattering the seeds evenly. For glass jar users, longer and wider jars are recommended to prevent overcrowding. To eliminate excess water, give the container a good shake or tap after draining.
Step 6 involves the collection and preservation of crops.
It takes approximately three days for aduki beans and lentils to grow into home-grown sprouts that are fit for consumption, once a tiny shoot appears. On the other hand, sprouts such as radish or alfalfa are usually harvested at 3cm in length and become edible in approximately six days.
After harvesting, the sprouts must be rinsed and drained well. It’s important not to store them while they’re still wet. To eliminate additional moisture, an excellent technique is to wrap the sprouts in muslin or a tea towel. Afterwards, use a salad spinner to dry them or dab them gently with a kitchen towel before transferring them to an airtight container in the refrigerator.
If stored properly, fresh sprouts that have been grown at home can remain edible for up to five days. On the other hand, store-bought sprouts, which have already undergone transportation and storage, can only be refrigerated for a maximum of two days.
