Eat healthy, get enough sleep and exercise. These are the 3 main objectives for a healthy lifestyle. As we know, in winter it can be harder to access fresh, local and, most importantly, affordable food. A good option: sprouting.
Germination is the first stage of the plant’s life, it directly follows the awakening of the seed. It normally takes between 2 and 7 days for the seeds to germinate and be consumed. It is therefore a simple and fast method to have good food full of vitamins and minerals at hand! Growing sprouts does not require a lot of equipment or space, so it is accessible to everyone. Want to give it a try? Here’s how to do it:
Needed material
- Germoir commercial ou pot de verre muni d’un couvercle percé ou recouvert d’un coton à fromage
- Semences de votre choix
- Eau
- Commercial sprouter or glass jar with a pierced lid or covered with cheesecloth
- Seeds of your choice
- Water
Get started
Depending on the choice of seeds you make, you will need to soak them in water for varying amounts of time. When you buy your seeds, ask about the soaking time required depending on the variety you choose. It varies from a few hours to overnight. Once the soaking is finished, you must remove the excess water. If you are using a sprouter, follow the instructions on the package, they are designed to ensure that the water drains optimally and does not stagnate to avoid rotting. If you are using a pot, place it upside down in a saucer, making sure to give it a small angle for the water to come out. Leave the pot upside down at all times to ensure that the seeds do not get wet.
Every day until germination, rinse your seeds with clean water, without letting them soak. Once the seeds are sprouted and ready to eat, rinse them one last time. Germinations have a short shelf life and should be eaten within 3 days. Store them in the refrigerator in an airtight container.
What to do with sprouts?
Sprouts are tasty and crunchy. They add flavour and texture to salads and sandwiches. You can also use them as a finishing touch to dishes to add a nice punch of greens and vitamins. Why not add them to your smoothies to make them more nutritious? Some of them have a spicy taste that can give your recipes a kick. You can cook them, but they are at their best when fresh.
Which seeds to choose?
Just about any seed will germinate. Tomatoes and rhubarb are toxic at this stage and should not be eaten. Go with your taste and experiment to find your favourites. Here are some suggestions:
- alfalfa
- chickpeas
- quinoa
- broccoli
- radish
- basil
- mustard
- clover
- specialized mixes sold in garden centres
Growing sprouts is easy, profitable and fun. It is a way to garden all year round and to improve the quality of your food. Try it, you will definitely adopt it!
