Growing my own sprouts, some questions

[Spirit Deer]

Okay, I think I understand the basics from the online research I've done. I have tons of Mason jars to use and also plenty of tulle or other materials to use over the top of the jar, so I think I have the equipment I need.

My question is about where to buy seeds for sprouting. Can I get them at the food co-op? Do they have to be certified salmonella and E-coli free?

Also, how do you clean sprouts before eating them?

I've read about some techniques where you cut the sprouts off to harvest them, and they'll keep growing. Am I understanding that correctly?

I understand about soaking, rinsing, watering, rinsing, etc, for several days. What are the details, tips, and tricks I may be missing, things that generally wouldn't be found on websites telling how to grow sprouts?

[Grainlady]

My Y2K sprouting story.... We were part of a food coop and a lady purchased 100-pounds of alfalfa seeds to have in storage and was shocked to see just how much that WAS. I bet she's STILL sprouting them! A one-pound bag of alfalfa seeds will last a l-o-n-g time under normal use - even for us, and we consume a LOT of sprouts.

To answer your questions:

- I prefer seeds, like alfalfa, radish, broccoli, (or combinations of seeds) that are packaged for sprouting because you'll get less "foreign/inert matter" or weed seeds than seeds purchased from bulk bins. Sprouting seeds are tested and stored to promote sprouting. Although I sprout most other grains/beans/seeds right out of what I have in storage, but all of these were triple-cleaned before being sold as food-grade grains.

- I follow the new recommendations concerning bacteria growth in sprouts by using Citric Acid in the soaking water (if the seeds are the kind that require soaking), AND in the rinse water. Bacteria is EVERYWHERE and on everything. It's when it's exposed to the correct conditions to foster the bacteria into a toxin is when you have a problem. Using citric acid will help prevent bacteria growth in sprouts as much as anything you can do as a topical application. There are also new recommendations for using an acidic bath for pre-treating foods for dehydrating to preventing potential bacteria growth (but I digress). You won't find the acid bath/rinse in most sprouting or dehydrating information - but I wouldn't skip this step. We have more strains of bacteria and stronger bacteria than we had even 20-25 years ago, so I prefer an ounce of prevention kinda' treatment.

I use 1-teaspoon citric acid per quart of water of soaking AND rinsing water for sprouts. You can find Citric Acid powder at most health food stores. A 4-oz. (113g) bottle will last a long time. You'll want larger amounts if you do a lot of sprouting/dehydrating. I order it 8-pounds at a time and use it for sprouts/dehydrating and making Fizzy Bath Bombs.

- Make sure your jars, sprouters, or sprout-containers are CLEAN. I soak my sprouting lid/s and canning jars (or sprouters) in a bleach water solution (1 T. bleach per pint of water - FDA recommendations) and soak your sprouter (sprouting equipment) for 10-20 minutes. If you don't like using bleach, then make a strong solution of Grapefruit Seed Extract/water or food-grade Hydrogen Peroxide/water. Allow to air dry COMPLETELY. Don't dry them with a "used" kitchen towel because you chance adding bacteria to the jars from the towels.

- If the seeds you purchase have been irradiated, there is less potential for bacteria growth on the seeds (I think irradiation destroys 99.9% of most harmful bacteria associated with raw food - I took a class on Irradiation years ago ), and nearly all sprouting seeds have been irradiated (FDA) and don't require labeling that states as much. If you want to avoid irradiation, I'd suggest looking for certified organic seeds that have been triple cleaned. But the seeds are just one source for bacteria.

- Go to the library and see if you can find some books on sprouting. Not all sprouts use the same methods and times. Some things are soaked, others aren't.

-Some things are better NOT sprouted, like quinoa and flaxseed. It's nearly impossible to fine unhulled quinoa and they tend to have a large number of the seeds that won't sprout. Flax are high in oxalic acid and are bitter when sprouted - and they are gelatinous (as are chia seeds for sprouting) that make them hard to sprout. Don't try to soak a chia seed if you want to sprout it - won't work....

-Adzuki and mung beans sprout best under pressure (I use a plate) and in the dark. In fact, you don't expose sprouts to light until they are done sprouting. The light will create the chlorophyll in them.

-I like the plastic sprouting lids that fit on a wide-mouth canning jar. You can make your own by using plastic canvas with small holes in it, if you happen to have any of that around. I like it because I can easily sanitize it. They look like this: http://www.herbalhut.com/detail.aspx?ID=14023

- I even soak and sprout almonds and pecans overnight in lightly salted water and then dehydrate them. They are much easier to digest when they are soaked/sprouted.

Suggested Reading:

The Sprouting Book - by Ann Wigmore

Books by Steve Meyerowitz - the "Sproutman"

[Spirit Deer]

Wow, thanks for all the great info!

Mostly I'm interested in alfalfa and mung bean sprouts.

I do have plastic canvas and could make a lid at least for the larger seeds. I also have tons of tulle and could use that for disposable lids if needed, and it would still last me years.

I have citric acid, so I'm all set to go there. That's info I didn't come across online and it sounds like the right solution to me.

I ordered a sprouting book from the library last night so it should be here next week. I forget now which one it is.

I may be going to the food co-op on Saturday and I'm hoping to find sprouting seeds there. It's a fifty-mile drive so I want to make sure I come home with everything I need.

I expect to only start sprouts occasionally and probably won't have them going constantly.

Thanks so much!

[mauimagic]

Aloha Spirit Dear,
Mahalo for starting this thread - I need reminders of things that I want/need to get to and sprouting is on my list for this month.

Let us know what you sprout and how it turns out!!