Sprouting Edible Microgreens Gains Popularity

Sprouting Nutritious Microgreens

Sprouting is a natural process in which seeds germinate, establishing shoots produce new leaves, and buds to experience further growth. Microgreens are packed with nutrients as most varieties are high in potassium, copper, magnesium, zinc usually consumed raw to retain nutritional value may be cooked as well. Microgreens are a great source of antioxidant plant compounds considered a superfood when harvested early in growth.

Edible sprouts including alfalfa sprouts, broccoli sprouts, and radish sprouts are excellent sources of amino acids, antioxidants and are an excellent source of vitamins and minerals.  Sprouts have been labeled functional foods that have health promoting benefits that may lower risks of many diseases. Two tray seed sprouters can germinate sprouts. Growing a variety of sprouts allows for viewing and monitoring the growth of sprouts on each individual tray. 

Depending on the variety of seed sprouts will germinate growing approximately 3-7 days after the seeds have been placed in a warm humid environment. Sprouting certain seed types take 14 days to produce sprouts while other varieties can produce a slightly sprouted product within 48 hours. The Food Standard Agency says you can eat sprouts raw if the label states “Ready to Eat” All other sprouts should be cooked thoroughly until steaming hot throughout.  In addition, you should follow the manufactures storage instructions.

Keep sprouts refrigerated when stored consumed within 2 days. Sprouting has gained popularity in the United States people focused on low processed foods with no additives recognized as a good source of protein. One serving of sprouts contains 10-25 calories and 2 grams of protein depending on the variety of sprouts.

Growing Fresh Sprouts

Growing a French garden mix of sprouts adds 2 tablespoons of seeds to a clean mason jar with a screened lid. Soak seeds for 8-12 hours in cold water to begin the sprouting process. Drain off the water leaving the seeds in the jar. Do not soak the seeds again. Drain the seeds thoroughly removing excess water. Rinse and drain the seeds with cool water every 8-12 hours.

Allow the seeds to germinate put out shoots. Harvest on day six when the leaves open and most of them turn green. Ball 1 Quart sprouting jar is available online or at your local grocer screened lids are sold separately. It is recommended to sterilize your sprouter container before growing to ensure sprouting safety.

Tray Sprouters

Euro Tray Sprouter has an elegant design especially suited for growing small crops of microgreens. It can grow almost anything with the exception of celery, beet, cilantro, or dill.  They are the few seeds that will not work. Wash to sterilize the container before you begin sprouting. Add 2 tablespoons of microgreens or leafy sprout seeds onto the strainer.

Pour ⅔ of a cup (160mg) of cool water into the ceramic base filling up to the raised line around it. Spread your seeds over the perforated tray with its curled edges facing downward. Soak the seeds for 8-12 hours to start the germination process. Do not do a long soak again.  Change the water twice per day pouring the old water out then adding fresh cool water into the ceramic base just until it touches the seeds. Place the triangular cover over the tray between water changes until leaves appear if you are growing a leafy crop. 

Sprouting A Leafy Crop

When leaves appear stop using the cover and move your tray to a well lit location. Direct sunlight is fine when greening a crop in an open tray sprouter. Continue to change the water twice per day leaving fresh water in the base until you are ready to harvest.  The Euro Tray is extremely simple to use. Just sprinkle some seeds on the strainer and watch them grow. Purchase whole untreated seeds and beans that are made for sprouting for best results. Add sprouts to your favorite salads, soups, stews, and recipes.

Find sprouting supplies at your local health food store or online. Sproutpeople is a company that serves the home sprouter provides a wide range of sprouters, tools, through growing instructions, recipes providing the home sprouter with everything they need to grow the finest organic sprouts. Choose from an amazing variety of 120 seed selections sourced from Certified Organic seeds NON-GMO.

Kits and samplers is a great way to know Sproutpeople’s diverse offerings. A single Harvest pack contains the number of seeds needed to grow an 8-ounce crop of sprouts or a 5-inch tray of microgreens or grass greens. It is advised that people start small by buying only what you need to start growing sprouts at first, add more supplies later as needed to refill seed selection when sprouting microgreens.

Cheers! 

Patricia Lynn

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