Sprouts!

Sprouts are a highly nutritious addition to any diet. If you can get them to grow anyway.

Sprouts were first noted in history in 2939 BC when the Emperor of China recorded their use in a book. According to a Johns Hopkins University study, broccoli sprouts contained 50 times more sulforaphane than fully grown broccoli. Sulforaphane is an anti-cancer compound.

Grow your own!

Bean sprouts can be purchased from your local healthfood store or online. I purchased my second round from True Leaf Market after my first go ended horribly in two days.

You'll need a glass mason jar and a sprouting lid, or cheesecloth will do.

Put 2 tablespoons of sprout seeds in the jar then fill it halfway full warm water and leave overnight to soak.

The next day, pour off the water and rinse once or twice and stand the jar upside down until the water drains completely.

Keep the sprouts in a dark area on your counter and cover with a towel until germination starts. Once germination starts, move the jar into the light to develop.

Sprouts are germinating.

Rinse twice a day until the sprouts are atleast 3 cm long or have two little leaves.

I'd love to show you what this part is supposed to look like but I could never get them to fully sprout.

The furthest I could get these sprouts to grow.

During the process, be sure to get as much water to drain as possible to avoid mold. If you're successful in your attempt, sprouts can last up to a week in the fridge. Sprouts are a delicious addition to salads, soups, and sandwhiches. It's handy to grow sprouts in the winter when fresh greens aren't readily available.

Sprouts in a salad mix, courtesy of my friend Alexandeur at Moon Farm. He's a pro.

Don't let my failure disuade you from trying to grow your own sprouts, it's probably not as hard to get them to grow as I think it is!

Stay magic.

Resource : Petersen, D. (2022) NUT 308 Holistic Nutrition (21st ed., pp.291-295). American College of Healthcare Sciences.