Bramble Posted August 4, 2011 Share Posted August 4, 2011 Hello!! Just wondering if any of you grow your own seed/bean sprouts? If so, which ones do you like best/find work best? I'm just re-starting sprouting after several years of "not bothering". When I used to do it, I found results were patchy at best, so any top tips will be very welcome!!! Thanks guys!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lavenders_Blue Posted August 5, 2011 Share Posted August 5, 2011 I'm not an expert but have grown sprouts before. I found the easiest sprouts to grow were the bean and lentil sprouts (I just used dried beans and lentils from the supermarket but you can buy the packets especially for sprouting). I did adzuki beans, lentils, chickpeas (makes a nice raw houmous), mung beans. I have also sprouted seeds. Personally I think these are tastier than the bean and lentil sprouts, but can be a bit trickier. The best were alfalfa, radish, red clover and fenugreek. I have done broccoli several times (and probably should try it again as I have most of a 500g bag of seeds remaining ) but they seemed to take aaaages to sprout and then they grew into a tangled mess at the roots, making them difficult to harvest. This didn't happen with alfalfa, radish or fenugreek. My top sprout recipe is a sandwich of raw-chickpea-sprout houmous, grated carrot and alfalfa sprouts - delish! I also bought a seed mix once which was rubbish as all the sprouts grew at different rates, some were getting too long whilst others hadn't even started to sprout - total waste of money! By the way, if anyone has any good tips on how to rinse off the seed husks, I'd be grateful. I don't really like a whole load of seed husks in my sprouts, but they are stubborn in their refusal to be separated from the plantlets! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bramble Posted August 5, 2011 Author Share Posted August 5, 2011 Thank you very much!! I have started off with a seed mix (though in my defence, it was one my mum bought for me and is what's got me into "sprouting" again). Then I also bought some chickpeas and mung beans from Tesco yesterday so I've started a few of those off too. I've only ever really tried the pea/beans but would love to try some of the others, will see how I get on with the first couple of batches and take it from there. Can't help much on the husk problem, but did notice a few husky bits floating about when I rinsed mine this morning, I wonder if you could pick the floaters off with a tea strainer or similar? Thanks for the advice, I'll keep you posted about the results!!!!!!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lavenders_Blue Posted August 5, 2011 Share Posted August 5, 2011 I don't know what kind of sprouter you use. I have a 3 tier sprouter and also a jar sprouter. With the seeds I find it easiest to start them off in the jar until they have sprouted, then transfer them to the 3 tier sprouter once they are big enough not to slip through the drainage slots. The drainage holes on the jar are much smaller. With the lentils/beans, I start them straight off in the 3 tier sprouter after soaking. Thanks for starting this thread by the way, you've inspired me to dig my sprouter out this weekend Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lesley Posted August 5, 2011 Share Posted August 5, 2011 I just use alfalfa as they're my favourite - and I can never remove all the seed husks either! Alafalfa, avocado, tomato and basil - my favourite sandwich! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Old Speckled Hen Posted August 8, 2011 Share Posted August 8, 2011 Yes, thanks from me too I'm going to get sprouting. I have some of these tucked away in my larder and I'm ashamed to say they have been there ages. I use a large jar with a bit of netting doubled up on top (the sort you get oranges in) I find the sprouting trays a faff as the roots get caught in the drainage channels. crikey, more than I thought wheatgrass,rocket,alfalfa,broccoli,onion,sandwich mix,black-eyed peas,salad sprouts,sunflower,fenugreek,red radish,mung,snow peas,chick pea,adzuki,red cabbage,lentils,white mustard and green peas. Must have been an offer from Thompson and Morgan. Eeny meeny miny mo. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bramble Posted August 9, 2011 Author Share Posted August 9, 2011 crikey, more than I thought wheatgrass,rocket,alfalfa,broccoli,onion,sandwich mix,black-eyed peas,salad sprouts,sunflower,fenugreek,red radish,mung,snow peas,chick pea,adzuki,red cabbage,lentils,white mustard and green peas. Must have been an offer from Thompson and Morgan. Eeny meeny miny mo. That's a LOT of bean sprouts!!! Good luck with them, let us know which works best!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Saronne Posted August 11, 2011 Share Posted August 11, 2011 Haha! Thompson and Morgan's '50% off all seeds' sale got me in the same predicament! Saronne Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
