Get Sprouting!

I love Mung Bean sprouts, but I don’t love buying them in a plastic bag from the supermarket. Sprouts are the wee baby shoots that grow from bean and vegetable seeds. They have been grown and eaten in Asia for thousands of years, and were brought to NZ by early Asian settlers. In ancient China, nobles ate sprouts for rejuvenation and healing.  Sprouting beans were also taken on long sea voyages, so they could be sprouted and eaten en route, to prevent scurvy.      

Most of us are familiar with Mung Beans and Alfalfa sprouts, but there are other flavoursome varieties too – Chickpeas, Lentils, Broccoli, Snow Pea and Radish sprouts with a peppery punch to name a few. The Urban Bounty crew tell me that Spicy Mix is their favourite.

Get Sprouting

If I’d known they were so quick and easy to grow from home, I might have tried it sooner!  Urban Bounty have put me onto their wonderful sprouting jar kits. They include everything you need to get started (including a starter pack of organic sprout seeds). Their nifty design solves the problem of how to rinse and drain your growing sprouts with the minimum of fuss. A one litre jar makes enough for a family. It’s so easy the kids could do it!  Here’s how:

Pop your seeds in a jar and cover with cold water.

Soak for up to 8 hours to activate the seeds.

Agitate the jar then tip upside down to drain.

Rinse with fresh water and turn you jar upside down to drain. 

Repeat the process twice a day for 4 – 5 days (depending on variety).

Enjoy!

Try making Iceberg Wedges with Seeds & Sprouts click here.