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Sprouts are one of the most nutrient-dense foods around, and the good news is that you can grow them yourself for next to nothing. Sprouting is an excellent way to save money, and at the same time, get some of the best nutrition available on the planet.
When you sprout nuts, seeds, and pulses, it is like having a mini organic farm right in your kitchen. No need to drive to the shops. No need to worry about what pesticides and insecticides might be in your food. There is no need to worry about how fresh your food is. And no need to worry that it costs too much. It is all right there in your kitchen, growing organically.
We eat sprouts every day, usually in a huge salad. Many governments and health officials advocate eating five portions of fruit and vegetables every day. But for us, 10-20 parts a day is closer to what we eat. Many people cannot see how this is possible, especially from a cost point of view. But if you have sprouts growing in your kitchen, you can have 3-4 different varieties in your salad and all the other veggies you usually add. Our typical salad has at least ten ingredients. Add in the fruit and vegetables we use in our juices and other meals, and it can quickly add up to twenty on some days. But it is never lower than ten servings.
You can sprout most pulses, nuts, and seeds, so experiment to see what you like best. They all have a slightly different taste, and it is great to have a wide variety, as each has a different nutritional profile.
Sprouting is easy and cheap. All you need to get started is a mason jar, some muslin cloth, and an elastic band. Here are the instructions for what you need to do:
- Soak the pulses, nuts, or seeds overnight in some warm water.
- The next morning, drain and rinse 2-3 times.
- Place the pulses, nuts, or seeds in the mason jar, and put the muslin cloth over the top. The fabric stays in place with an elastic band. Keep the jar tilted at an angle so that any excess water can drain out.
- Every morning and evening, rinse the sprouts in clean water. Watering the sprouts like this will keep them moist.
- Continue for a few days until the pulses, nuts, or seeds start sprouting.
- Once germinated, rinse thoroughly and eat.
The secret to sprouting is to keep the pulses, nuts, or seeds moist at all times. If they dry out, they will stop sprouting. And if they are too wet, then mold will start growing. If that happens, throw them away and start again. If you do not succeed the first time, try again. You will get the hang of it.
If you want to get a bit more professional, there are many sprouting machines on the market. There are plenty of different brands, with something to suit all budgets.
Most people, however, sprout using just a mason jar, muslin cloth, and elastic band. I suggest this is how you start. There is no need to buy expensive sprouting equipment unless you plan to sprout more significant amounts regularly.
