For those of you who have never tried to grow bean sprouts, you’re missing out. Sprouts from the smallest seed of a bean plant are full of protein and add a lot of vitamins to your diet. In fact, beans are actually some of the healthiest foods available today. They are low in fat but high in nutrition. It’s easy to grow them and they make great dishes and desserts. In addition to being great for you, growing bean sprouts at home is also a fun project for kids.
Where to begin:
Beans are very easy to grow. You can sprout them in a small jar or a tray. The best way to grow them is in a mason jar. Both mung beans and mason jars have air-tight lids on them that make it easy to hold the jar over a hot stove or in the microwave.
The mason jars that work best for growing bean sprouts at home are made of either glass or clear plastic. Both styles have lids that are air tight. Glass jars are more sturdy and will withstand the heat and acidity levels of the oven. Both styles of jars should be placed in an area where there is plenty of sunlight for good drainage.
To grow bean sprouts, you need some water, a jar or container, and your seeds. If you are growing more than one plant at a time, purchase more jars. The first step is to soak the seeds overnight. Place the jar in an area where it receives an abundance of sunlight and fresh air. Some plants need as much sunlight as others do, so the sun is probably the most important factor in how quickly the sprouts grow.
If you buy them dry, place them in a glass vase and let the solution remain in place overnight. Place the jars in a sunny window for the best results.
Which Method is Best?
The mason jar method is a great way to grow homemade food safety without spending a fortune on seeds. You don’t have to be a master gardener to do it either. It is a simple process, but you do need to know a little about growing sprouts if you want to ensure you get the best results. Food safety concerns aside, the jars offer a simple way to grow fresh homegrown sprouts without the mess or trouble of storing or shipping them.
When the sprouts are ready to harvest, you need to remove them from the jar and place them on a plate inside the refrigerator. This will prevent the sprouts from going bad. Over the course of a few days, you can take the jars out and store them in Tupperware containers or freezer bags. To serve, just toss the sprouts into salads or wraps. Just be sure not to overfill the jars, as the seeds will be compacted.
You should be able to easily pour the drained beans into your glass pot. When you are ready to use the seeds, carefully remove the blackened and discolored parts. The seeds will likely look cloudy because they haven’t had a chance to fully develop. Heat them up in your microwave before serving, or put them in a cheesecloth bag and hold them to dry in the air.