Sprouting is a great way to simultaneously get in touch with your green thumb in an easy way, and enhance your cooking with an economical and nutrient rich addition. Sprouts are ideal whether you’re watching your weight or trying to eat healthier; as sprouts are proven to contain an important variety of nutrients.

There are a few different ways to garner your sprouts. The difference between them is the time you are willing to invest, as well as which sprout(s) you want. Common sprouts are alfalfa, lentil, mung, rye, soy, and wheat. You are not limited to these choices, however; almost 99% of all vegetation is edible in the sprout stage, so if you have a hankering from black bean sprouts, you should give that a try! There is no reason not to experiment, since the process of growing sprouts remains the same.

Sprouters are readily available; you can buy one that’s already made, but it is also very easy to make your own. Normally, you can spend between $5 and $25 dollars on good sprouting equipment. Common types of sprouters include a glass or clear plastic jar, a tray, clear Tupperware, or a plate. The advantage of things like a jar or Tupperware is that they have lids. On the other hand, trays or plates have a wide diameter, which means that the sprouts can all have equal access to the sunlight, as well as the wet cloth that will be their source of water. What container you choose can also depends on the sprout; cress and other green sprouts prefer trays. Bean sprouts, on the other hand, are better grown in jars or Tupperware.

Growing sprouts is fairly easy.

• The first thing to do, obviously, is to get the seeds you want – either from buying them at a store or harvesting them from your garden.
• Pour about 3 tablespoons of the sprouting seeds and then add roughly 2 to 4 cups of water.
• Swirl the seeds and let them soak up water overnight. If the sprouts are in a flat container, like a plate, then soak a kitchen towel in water and lay it on the bottom of the plate.
• Every day, you should drain and rinse the seeds, dumping the old water out in the morning, and adding new water in the evening or change the towel; essentially, you have to make sure that the sprouts continue to be moist.
• Repeat the process of rinsing and draining for 3-5 days; at the end of this, the sprouts should be big enough to fill a one quart jar.
• It is up to you to choose when you are satisfied with the size and greenness of your sprouts. If you want to take the sprouts out earlier that’s fine too.
• Once you think they are done, you should store them in your refrigerator and keep them dry to avoid spoilage. Sprouts can keep up to five days after they’ve been extracted from water.

Adding sprouts to any food, such as meatloaf or salad, can not only make them more delicious; it also dramatically increases the health benefits. It’s a fun, easy way to brighten up both your kitchen and your cuisine. It’s also a way to remind you that healthy eating doesn’t necessarily equate to bland eating.

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