Saturday, July 21, 2012

Happy Weekend! Sprouting at Home: Day 5

It's finally the weekend!  This week felt like the longest week ever.  Maybe it was the heat or maybe I just couldn't wait til Saturday.
Mung Bean Sprouts on Day 5!

Today is the day that I finally get to eat my sprouts!  Once I finish the final soak, rinse and drain cycle, all of these lovely sprouts will go into an airtight container in the fridge.  Well, whatever I don't eat first!  Here's a recap of my week of sprouting. 

You’ll Need:
A sprout jar with a screen or a large bowl 
(a jar is MUCH easier)
Sprout seeds: Mung Bean, Alfalfa, Broccoli, etc.
Water


I'm using Mung Beans so these instructions are specific to this variety.  I'll get into other sprouts later.

Mung Bean seeds have a shelf life of 3-5 years if kept in a cool, dark place such as a closet but not a hot garage.  Mung beans will usually produce twice the amount of sprouts as seeds.  Mung bean sprouts can last up to 6 weeks in the refrigerator if properly stored.  As with anything in the fridge, if it smells funky in a bad way, don't eat it!

Directions:  
Put 1/3 cup beans into your sprout jar. Add 2 cups of water.  Allow seeds to soak for 8-12 hours.  Empty the seeds into your Sprout Jar.  Drain off the soak water.  You may use it to water plants.  Rinse thoroughly with cool (60-70°) water.  Drain thoroughly.

Once I emptied out the water I set the jar upside down in a bowl to drain completely.
If you want to grow short, sweet Mung Beans - with 1/8 - 1/2 inch roots:
Rinse and drain every 8-12 hours  for 2 - 3 days.
If you want to grow big, thick Mung Bean - with 1 - 3 inch roots:
Rinse and Drain every 8-12 hours  for 4 - 6 days.

Just to be clear:
Soak for 8-10 hours. Rinse and drain.  Leave the jar in a cool place with no direct sunlight for the next 8-10 hours (dry).  Repeat.  It is VERY important that you rinse and drain thoroughly.

The great thing about my Sprout Jar is that it's self-contained.  I can soak, drain, rinse and let them sit all in one container.

Your sprouts are done 8-10 hours after the final rinse.   Be sure to drain your sprouts as thoroughly as possible after the final rinse.  Remove any left over hulls.  Transfer your sprouts to a plastic bag or sealed container and put them in the refrigerator.
These are the hulls.  Remove these and use in your compost or throw away.

If this is your first time sprouting, Please read "To Sprout or Not to Sprout
Don't forget, I'm giving away 2 FREE ounces with each purchase of Mary's Sprouting Kit and 1 FREE ounce with each sprout seed purchase.  If you scroll down to the bottom of the sprout page you'll find sprouting screens!  You can make your own kit with any wide-mouth jar, sprouts and a screen but the Sprouting Kit has it ALL! (I am offering this again through the month of October)

Sprouting at Home saves money!  I used 1/3 cup of beans (seeds) and they produced almost 3 cups of sprouts.  If I were to buy that much sprouts at the store I would probably spend about $8.  Worse, who knows what type of cancer-causing, nasty chemicals would be used to grow those $8 sprouts?

Join me Monday at Mary's Kitchen for Meatless on Monday #2 and a Sprout recipes!

Next week, I'm sprouting Fenugreek seeds!  Maybe Broccoli?  Or both!


Featured at: Farmer's Daughter
Linking up at Windcrafting Wednesday and The Creative HomeAcre Hop
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Marys-Heirloom-Seeds/229833070442449

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31 comments:

Nancy said...

Am I the only person on the planet that hasn't eaten sprouts? Prolly.

This is a great idea -- I think I need to try it. :)

Thank you for sharing at Rural Thursdays Mary. xo

Lisa Sall - Sall's Country Life said...

I live on the same planet as Nancy! I'd like to taste these sprouts!
Thanks for sharing at Farm Fresh Friday! I don't think you can get much fresher than a sprout!

Mary Smith said...

Welcome to to the wonderful world of Sprouts! It's so easy and oh so nutritious. I've added a special at Mary's Heirloom Seeds just for the occasion!

Unknown said...

I just have to check out these beans:) This sounds great.

Mary Smith said...

Thanks for stopping by Evelyn! Mung Bean sprout seeds are available at Mary's Heirloom Seeds for $6.50 and include free shipping. 8 ounces is approx 2 cups (i think). That's a bunch of sprouts!

Mary Smith said...

Correction: 8 ounces of Mung Beans is approx 1 1/3 cups of seeds!

Lisa Lynn said...

The sprouts look yummy!

Just stopping by to let you know I have nominated you for the One Lovely Blog and The Very Inspiring Blog Awards! Stop by my blog to accept in the comments and pass this along!

http://littlehomesteadonthehill.blogspot.com/

Unknown said...

Thanks for adding the final post for sprouting to the Our Favorite Things Link Party. It's great to see how they turned out.

Julie said...

Hi Mary! Thanks so much for linking up to Fabulous Fridays! Hope to see you next week.

Julie

Julie said...

This is so neat! Thanks so much for posting this tutorial and linking up to Marvelous Mondays!

Julie

Mary Smith said...

Thanks for Hosting the parties Karri and Julie!

Jeanette Nyberg said...

This is so so so cool! I'm impressed with you. Stopping by from the Monday Mingle hop!

Sarah said...

I have a little sprouting tray, I haven't gotten it out in awhile though. You've inspired me to get sprouting again!

Stopping by from the Mingle...

tm said...

New follower! Love your site and looking forward to reading more!

Hope you will follow back!
Daisy @ http://trendymomreviews.blogspot.com/

Shawn said...

Hmmmm never tried these sprouts before, but I love the crunch from yummy sprouts, so I may just have to give this a go.

Monica said...

This is awesome! It was interesting to see the growing process through your other photos! Following you via Monday Mingle and would love a follow back. All the best,
Monica

Mary Smith said...

Thanks for stopping by! It's nice to "meet" new bloggers. I'm trying to remember to follow back!

Full Circle Creations said...

I've never had sprouts before. This looks really interesting. Thanks for sharing at the All Star Block Party.

Holly

heather @ new house, new home, new life said...

Terrific! Thanks for sharing at the All Star Block Party.

Unknown said...

This is great! I loving growing your own sprouts! Please come hang out and link up to our link party "Home is Where the Heart is" Please feel free to link up any posts you might want to share! :)
http://www.homesteadsimple.com/home-is-where-the-heart-is-link-it-up-wednesdays-3/

Farmer's Daughter said...

FYI- This post was selected to be featured in the weekly Homesteading Link Up! Thanks for joining in!!! http://farmersdaughterct.com/2012/07/26/homesteading-link-up-and-sprouting-at-home/

Mary Smith said...

Thank you for the feature! I added your link to my post.

Sarah @ Natures Nurture said...

So neat! I've always wanted to do this! Thanks for linking up at Tiny Tip Tuesday!

Trish - Mom On Timeout said...

That is so cool! I love sprouts and this would be so fun to do at home! Thanks so much for sharing at Mom On Timeout!

Unknown said...

I haven't sprouted anything since I was in middle school and we did it for an experiment. Thanks for sharing on Tout It Tuesday! Hope to see you tomorrow.

Unknown said...

Really awesome tutorial! Very easy and those sprouts are yummy. Thanks for linking up at Mom's Library!

Betsy @ Romance on a Dime said...

Nice job!! Very impressive. I bet you are so excited to finally eat some of your sprouts! Thanks for linking up at Romance on a dime last week!! Pinning this.

Mary Smith said...

WOW!! Thank you all for the awesome feedback! When I'm all healed up I'll start sprouting again. Monday I'll have more details on my first ever giveaway. Stay tuned!

Jessica said...

Thanks for sharing at Meatless Monday!! Can't wait to get my seeds already!!!!!!!!

Black Fox Homestead said...

I've never tried sprouting mung beans. We'll have to look into this.

Thanks again for sharing on the HomeAcre Hop!

~Jenny

Lisa Lynn said...

Happy sprouting! Thanks for sharing this on The Creative HomeAcre Hop! Hope to see you this Sunday at:
http://www.theselfsufficienthomeacre.com/2013/03/the-creative-homeacre-hop-7.html