Seed sprouts are very nutritious food. They are high in protein, vitamins & minerals and low in calories and carbohydrates. It is much better to eat sprouted seeds than dry seeds.
It is very easy to sprout seeds. Here are the steps you can follow to get seed sprouts.
Choose the right type of seeds. Not all seeds are sprout able and not all are edible in the sprouted state. Some seeds which can be sprouted and eaten are mung beans, lentils, chickpea, sunflower, Adzuki beans and alfalfa. Buy seeds packed for consumption.
Wash the seeds thoroughly. Take a clean jar and place the seeds in it. The seeds should occupy less than one-fourth of the jar.
Pour plenty of pure water into the jar. Cover the jar with cheesecloth or wire screening.
Place the jar where it is neither too hot nor too cold.
Small seeds need to remain soaked for 5 hours, medium seeds for 8 hours and large seeds for about 12 hours. Preferably, they should be soaked overnight.
After the seeds have been soaked for enough time, drain the water and rinse the seeds. To rinse, pour fresh water into the jar and shake gently. Drain the water. The seeds will have started germinating now.
The germinating seeds now need air and good drainage. Place the jar slightly tilted, with the mouth of the jar resting on the surface below at an angle. Place a cloth or tissue under the jar so that excess moisture is soaked up. This is important. If there is water standing in the jar, the seeds will rot. Also, see that the mouth of the jar is not blocked by seeds, as this will affect the circulation of air.
Rinse the seeds two or three times a day, using the same method as above.
The seeds will sprout to the optimum level for consumption in 3-5 days. You should see two tiny leaves on the seeds. At this point, you can either eat them immediately or store them in the refrigerator. Sprouts can be stored in the refrigerator for several days.
