Basic Sprouting Instructions

Soak organic seeds for 8 hours or overnight in lots of water, some larger seeds may need longer. Add a liquid feed to the water for extra nutrition.

Rinse sprouts well at least every 12 hours. Trays need careful spraying in the beginning as it washes away mould causing fungi, but try not to move sprouts around as they root. Once they’re fixed immerse them in water for at least half a minute. Swishing them about, (and especially inverting them,) helps to remove seed hulls.

Drain your sprouts well, standing water is a good way to encourage rot. Leave trays on an angle for a minute or so, or briefly put them on some tissue to wick the water away (don’t leave them on it or they may dry out.)

Harvest sprouts carefully by gently pulling ripe ones out from the rest. This allows less developed ones to continue growing so you get several harvests of perfect sprouts.

Store them in a plastic bag in a cool dark place, such as a fridge, and rinse them every 3 days or so. Most sprouts will keep at least a week like this and often longer.

Sprouts can be divided into those grown as small green plants, (mainly eaten raw although some have to be juiced) and those grown briefly to improve the nutritional qualities of the seed, (mainly grains and beans).

Fun Facts

Sprouts can freshen the breathe, cleanse the blood, and are a tonic to the body.

Fiber in sprouts lowers LDL cholesterol and lowers high blood pressure.

Several days of sprouting dramatically increases protein, vitamins, and enzymes --some over 2000%

Source: www.herbsarespecial.com.au/free-sprout-information.html

As the winter days get colder, the selection of local produce tends the slim as well. This makes it a great time to get out your sprouter and start making your own sprouts! Scroll down to check out some of the seeds and kits we carry here in the store.

Some of the benefits of sprouting include:

· Sprouts provide quality nutrients and, by weight, are the richest source of vitamins, minerals and anti-oxidants of all fresh food.

· Sprouts are fast growing and very economical.

· Sprouts help to alkalise the body, clear acid, toxic wastes and enable the body to heal itself and build a stronger immune system.

· Sprouts have an abundance of living enzymes, which, natural researchers say, help to slow down the ageing process.

· In addition to providing the greatest amount of these nutrients, sprouts deliver them in a form that is easily digested and assimilated.  In fact, they improve the efficiency of digestion.

· They are very inexpensive (even when organic), always fresh (they grow until you chew them) and have the potential to help solve hunger and malnutrition problems in our communities and in developing countries because they are so rich in nutrients, affordable, and easy to transport before sprouting.

Source: The Wonders of Sprouting by Lucie Desjarlais, RNC

Types of Sprouting Seeds that we carry at the Co-op include:

Red Clover Seed, Sprouting*

Alfalfa Seeds

Broccoli Seed

Chia Seeds

Barley, Sprouting*

Radish Seeds, Sprouting*

Wheatberries, Hard Red Winter, Sprouting*

Mung Beans *

*Certified Organic

We also carry sprouting kits and sprouting equipment!