A seed is like a little life capsule. Add a bit of water, and it blossoms into a new plant. Germinated seeds are nutrition powerhouses, offering a fantastic source of plant protein and boasting antioxidant properties that combat free radicals. Growing sprouts at home is a simple and enjoyable way to enhance our health—give it a try!
How do I do it?
To create a varied sprout pantry, start by choosing seeds of legumes, cereals or vegetables that are organically grown and have not been treated with chemicals. Seed sprouters are available on the market, but you can improvise by using a non-metal container.
Here are the step-by-step instructions
Put a tablespoon of seeds in a glass jar, cover with water and leave to soak for 3-24 hours to hydrate well.
Rinse and drain the seeds well and spread them out in the germinator. Then cover the tray with a hood or the jar with gauze to protect them from draughts and mold.
It is important to maintain a room temperature of 68-70°F during the entire process. Place the germinator in a dark place and cover it with a cloth as if it were in the ground. The seeds should be kept moist, but not submerged. Let them stand for 24 hours.
Wash everything well, flush and spread the seeds out again. Let stand in a dark place and repeat this step for 2 or 3 days.
When the seeds start to germinate, (with a ⅓-¾ inch sprout) wash with water and thoroughly clean the sprouts to remove the seeds that have not germinated and the husks from the sprouts.
Once clean and moist, cover them again with the hood or cover the glass jar with gauze.
Leave them in natural light (but not in direct sunlight) for a couple of days to allow the chlorophyll to develop.
And then what do I do with them?
Use them to add a special touch to your toasts, smoothies, soups and salads, for example in the Tuna and Avocado Salad. Not only will they add aesthetics to your presentation, but they will also make it a more complete and nutritious dish.