Image: Shutterstock.If you want learn how to make homemade sprouts in a simple, easy and practical wayyou cannot miss this note where we will give you some advice.
Contents
What are germs?
Sprouts are seeds that have germinated and become very young plants. This germination process usually begins with soaking the seeds for several hours.
The soaked seeds are then exposed to the right combination of temperature and humidity and allowed to grow for two to seven days. The end product is usually a sprout 2-5 cm long.
Many types of seeds can germinate. Here is a list of the most common types of sprouts available on the market:
- Bean and pea sprouts: Such as lentils, adzuki, chickpea, soybean, mung bean, black bean, red bean, green pea and white pea sprouts.
- sprouted grainsFood: Like brown rice, buckwheat, amaranth, kamut, quinoa, and oat sprouts.
- Vegetable or leaf sproutsFruits: such as radish sprouts, broccoli, beets, mustard greens, clover, watercress and fenugreek.
- Nuts and seed sprouts: Such as almond sprouts, radish seeds, alfalfa seeds, pumpkin seeds, sesame seeds or sunflower seeds.
Sprouts are usually eaten raw, but can also be lightly cooked before eating.
Benefits homemade cabbage.
- They pose no risk of contamination if handled with care, unlike packaged sprouts, which pose a higher risk of contamination.
- Packaged sprouts may also contain added preservatives to increase their shelf life. Sometimes canned sprouts have a bitter taste or an unpleasant aroma.
- Making your own sprouts is cheap and good for your pocket too. The germination method is simple and does not take much time.
- They are a healthy ingredient found in many sweet and savory recipes.
- Rich in many nutrients.
How to make homemade sprouts step by step.
Materials needed.
- Plastic lid of a container that you no longer use.
- Three kitchen towels.
- Pair of scissors.
- The seeds you want to germinate.
Procedure.
- To begin, place the plastic cover on the table, upside down. Make sure it is clean.
- Then you put the kitchen towels.
- The next step is to cut the napkin remnants sticking out of the lid.
- Then use those scraps to fill in any gaps in the lid that the napkin didn’t cover.
- Press well to place the towel evenly over the entire surface.
- The next step is to wash the seeds and drain them.
- After draining, distribute them over the entire surface of the lid, make sure that there are no seeds mounted on top of each other.
- Next, wet the sprouts, they should be moist but not soggy.
- Then it is placed in a place where there is air and sunlight.
- You need to moisten the shoot twice a day, in the morning and in the evening.
In a few days you will see your seeds germinate. To use the sprouts, cut them with scissors and let those that are not yet ready germinate.
Once the sprouts have finished growing, it’s time to peel them. This process is super easy and fun too. All you have to do is dip the sprouts into fresh, cool water, then push the sprouts down with your hand and the shells will come to the surface of the water. Remove water and shells until most of them are gone (you don’t need to remove them all). It may take a few water changes to get rid of most of them. It’s another fun thing to do with the kids, if they’re around.
You can germinate different seeds such as chia, flax seeds, wheat, sunflower, migo, soybeans, sorghum, lentils and chickpeas. The procedure is always the same for all seeds.
Wheat seeds take longer to germinate, about 8 days. Others You will see them germinate after 3 days.
Is an easy way to grow your own sprouts in an eco-friendly way economically. Not anymore You will have spend more money to buy sprouts.
Preservation.
Once fully sprouted, they stay fresh in the fridge for another 1-2 days.
Remove the sprouts from the bowl with a clean spoon and place them in an airtight steel container. Store it in the fridge drawer for 2-3 days.
How to make sprouts in trays.
With a little ingenuity we can create a home sprout system that will only occupy 60 x 40 cm with a height of 1.70 meters, with 5 reusable plastic trays to have the possibility of germinating 5 different varieties of grains throughout the year and with little water consumption.
They can do it with PVC or with a square tube, which is my case with a 9 millimeter pipe, 4 micro sprinklers, a ring filter, a medium sized aquarium pump and a digital timer.
You must bear in mind that the trays must be uneven to prevent water from stagnating and rotting the beans at the bottom of the trays, 20 small perforations are made so that the water falls on the next tray, the space between the trays is 25 cm at the bottom and 15 cm at the top.
In the lower part of the shelf, is placed the water collection tray which directs the surplus towards the water collection tank.
The grains should be washed twice and then left in water immersed for two to three days, then washed again and drained, put them in the bins and left in the dark for 1 to 2 days, then bring them to the shelf.
The timer is programmed with three cycles 1 at 6h, 12h and 18h for a duration of 2 minutes with each cycle the grains will germinate according to their characteristics.
Excess water can be reused in other plants because if you use it several times in the same irrigation, it can generate mud in the grains.
First harvest.
This is the result of the first harvest in our home sprouter.
Credits: Juan David Guijo
Germs: possible benefits and risks
Sprouts are rich in nutrients. They are also said to improve digestion and blood sugar, and possibly even prevent heart disease.
However, germs are also frequently linked to cases of food poisoning, leading people to wonder if the potential benefits are worth it.
They are very nutritious.
Although low in calories, sprouted seeds are a rich source of nutrients and beneficial compounds. Its vitamin and mineral content varies depending on the variety.
Generally speaking, however, the sprouting process increases nutrient levels, making sprouts higher in protein, folate, magnesium, phosphorus, manganese, and vitamins C and K than unsprouted plants.
Additionally, sprout protein may be easier to digest.
Sprouts are also great sources of antioxidants and other beneficial plant compounds.
Plus, studies show that foods made from sprouted grains may also be more nutritious.
Sprouts can help control blood sugar.
Some studies indicate that this may be partly because sprouting appears to reduce the total amount of carbohydrates in the sprouts. However, not all studies agree.
Another theory is that sprouts may have a greater ability to regulate the activity of the enzyme amylase, which the body uses to properly break down and digest sugars.
Despite these encouraging results, it should be noted that there seem to be few studies on this subject. More is needed before solid conclusions can be drawn.
They can improve digestion.
Germs can help you digest food better. Studies show that when seeds are sprouted, the amount of fiber they contain increases and becomes more available.
The sprouts specifically seem to increase the amount of insoluble fiber, a type of fiber that helps form stools and move them through the intestine, reducing the risk of constipation.
Additionally, sprouting appears to reduce the amount of gluten present in grains, which may make them easier to digest, especially for people with gluten sensitivity.
Finally, sprouted beans, grains, vegetables, nuts, and seeds contain fewer antinutrients than their unsprouted counterparts. This allows the body to more easily absorb nutrients during digestion.
Germs can improve heart health.
Including sprouted seeds in your daily diet may also benefit your heart. This is mainly because sprouts can reduce risk factors for heart disease, such as high cholesterol.
Several animal studies show that eating sprouted seeds can increase “good” HDL cholesterol and lower total cholesterol and “bad” LDL cholesterol levels.
Although these results seem promising, few studies have been conducted on this topic and more research is needed before strong conclusions can be drawn.
Raw sprouts can contain harmful bacteria.
One of the problems commonly associated with eating sprouts is the risk of food poisoning. The fact that sprouts are usually eaten raw or undercooked increases this risk.
The reason for this is that they must be grown in warm and humid conditions, in which harmful bacteria such as E. coli and Salmonella.
In cases of food poisoning, symptoms may appear 12 to 72 hours after eating the sprouts and may include diarrhea, stomach cramps and vomiting.
These symptoms are rarely life-threatening. However, it is recommended that children, pregnant women, the elderly, and people with generally weaker immune systems cook the sprouts well or avoid them altogether.
The following tips should help further reduce your risk of poisoning:
- Buy refrigerated sprouts: Only buy fresh sprouts that have been properly refrigerated.
- Check its appearance: Avoid buying or eating strong-smelling or slimy-looking sprouts.
- Store them in the refrigerator: At home, store sprouts in the refrigerator at temperatures below 8°C.
- Wash your hands: Always wash your hands thoroughly before handling raw sprouts.
How to include germs in your diet.
Sprouts can be eaten in a variety of ways and are easily incorporated into a wide variety of dishes. For example, they can be eaten raw in a sandwich or tossed into a salad.
Sprouts are also easy to add to hot foods like rice dishes, stir fries, omelets, soups or freshly made burgers.
Other great uses for sprouts are mixing them into smoothies and pancake batters, or grinding them into a spread on bread, crackers, or vegetables.