My latest healthy living move is growing sprouted seeds for their incredible nutritional benefits. I used to do this until a few years ago. So as I am wanting to optimise my diet, I’m ready for more compost sandwiches. Here’s how it goes.
Sprouted seeds are quite literally little plants, just a couple of days old. They’re quite easy to grow, it just takes a few days and the sprouts are then ready to eat in salads. Salads in the Quirky Museum also refers to Compost Sandwiches and the like, just so you know. Such compost used to involve watercress (aka pond weed) but not anymore as we don’t have a pond here.
I digress.
Health benefits of sprouted seeds
Any Google search of “health benefits of sprouted seeds” will bring up a wealth of websites waxing lyrical about it. Some of the benefits are helping to fight cancer, owing to the amount of antioxidants. Other benefits bring Vitamins A, C, K plus a dash of folic acid and other nutrients. Importantly they’re fat free, very low in calories and no sugar. Please do check it out, they really, really are very nutritious.
How to grow sprouted seeds
Easy-peasy. this is how I do it; always have, never failed.
- Put 1-2 teaspoons of seeds into a jar with water to rinse them.
- Swirl them around and drain off as much water as you can. Secure a piece of screen over the top of the jar with a rubber band (I used a square of cotton, from a handkerchief)
- Refill with some more water and soak the seeds for 2-4 hours and again drain the water out.
- Rinse again and drain off as much water as you can.
- Refill with a little more water. Shake, jiggle and tip the jar so the seeds are well distributed – they should be sticking to the sides with the moisture holding them in place.
- Leave on a windowsill, not too hot and avoid direct sunshine.
- Rinse again, at least twice a day.
- The sprouts should be ready to eat in 4-5 days.
- Rinse, dry as much as possible and store in the fridge.
- Eat within a day or two. If they become smelly or slimy, it’s important to throw them away to avoid any food poisoning.
So there you are. Sprouts. My first batch was broccoli but I also have radish. In the past I’ve sprouted mung beans and alfalfa. They all taste different and bring a range of brilliant nutrients. And they’re cheap.
While you can buy them from Amazon, you can also buy them direct from Naturesroot which is where mine came from. I got the 250g pack, costing just under £10 and should keep me going for ages. They’re organic seeds as well, so another gold star for me please.
Hope this helps folks.