www.RawFoodRevolution.co.uk

Joe · Site Admin

Sprouting your own seeds/grains/legumes is a great way of increasing the nutritional content of your food (nutrient content increases by about 400%, more for some nutrients, less for others). It also gets rid of any inhibitor enzymes, which prevent digestion.

Soaking also increases the nutritional content and removes the inhibitor enzymes but the increase isn't quite as great as the plant doesn't get as far through the germination process as when sprouting.
*nuts should also be soaked, but most don't sprout*

To sprout anything simply soak it over night in pure water then either put in a automatic sprouter (where all you have to do is change the water daily) or put in a bamboo basket (for seeds and grains) sprout bags (for beans and legumes) or a tray with soil (for wheat grass).

The bags must be washed (where you massage them in pure water for around 30 seconds) twice a day; morning and evening.

The baskets must be dipped in water for around a minute twice a day; morning and evening.

The trays must be kept moist by watering whenever necessary.

Sprouts are ready when the shoot is twice as long as the seed/grain/bean/legume. This usually takes around 5-7 days but varies for different varieties.

Wheatgrass must be left till the shoots are about 7-8 inches tall, this takes around 12-14 days.

Then hey presto you have some of the most nutritious fresh food around and grown with your love!!

rainbow

Is anybody sprouting anything interesting at the moment? I'm about to go and soak some alfalfa seeds - have let things go a bit cos I've been to-ing and fro-ing this summer. I like to have a few jars of alfalfa on the go - they take so long to sprout.

I'm also going to sprout some buckwheat which I'll dehydrate to make crunchy cereal for my son - and I'll do a batch for my mum as well.

Thinking about trying some trays of pea sprouts and sunflower sprouts. Any advice?

Thanks, Rainbowxx

Fern

I love sprouting but always forget to rinse and then forget to harvest!! Embarassed

I've got a mixed sachet of sprouts on the go now and some alfalfa too.

Joe · Site Admin

I've got some wheatgrass on the go and trying out hemp seeds for a chuckle, seem to be doing quite well!

Do you guys use sprouting machines?

rainbow

I use those glass jars with green plastic tops that you can get in health food shops. I've managed to find some bigger glass jars that the green tops still screw on to, which seem to work better.

I know what you mean, Fern. I've had plenty of times that I've forgotten to rinse and the sprouts have gone mouldy. That puts me off sprouting for weeks.

Haven't tried a sprouting machine. My little kitchen is full of equipment as it is. Just debating whether I can fit a tray or 2 of pea sprouts on window sill.

You using unhulled hemp seeds for sprouting, Joe? Will be interested to hear how they go!

Rainbowxx

Joe · Site Admin

I got ones with shells from funky raw this time. tried with ones from holland and barrett before but i think they get them from america (being an american company) where the irradiate them first.
They seem to be ok but i want them to get big enough to use the leaves... not sure what my uni will say about that though!

rainbow

I've had the green hemp leaf superfood powder from Funky Raw. Thought that was really good value and added extra green power to my smoothies.

Sprouted hemp seeds won't have psychoactive properties, will they? Where does the THC or whatever it is come into it?

Rainbowxx

Fern

Had to throw my alfalfa seeds, some were sprouting but they smelt bad Sad

Maybe they were old seed? Maybe the water wasn't draining away properly and they rotted?

Liberty

Have sprouted a range of seeds, my fav at the mo is Essential Organic 3 day sprouting salad mix which I sprouted in one of those jars with the green lids. I do have a 3 tier sprouting tray but find that only the top layer works well so tend to use the jars!!! I've also been very lazy and just ordered some sunflower sprouts and pea shoots from Aconbury sprouts. I just love sunflower greens but can't wait for them to grow! Will def have to grow my own as it's a lot cheaper! ( I did buy some sunflower seeds to sprout but the mouse in the garage got to them before me!)