What is needed for growing alfalfa sprouts at home?”
At the right you see all you need to grow alfalfa sprouts: seeds glass jar stocking or similar woven fabric or screen In the picture I’ve used a metal ring to secure a patch from the lady’s hose over the jar’s mouth, but you could also use a rubber band or piece of string. You can use other kinds of woven fabric or screen. What’s important is that air and water can pass through it, but the seeds can’t. Note the small quantity of seeds in the jar. Two tablespoons per quart jar is about right. STEP 1: Soak the seeds overnight. Fill the jar at least a quarter full with room-temperature water and just let the jar sit. STEP 2: Pour out the water and let the seeds sit. You want to seeds to be wet and to have access to air. Therefore, don’t let the seeds gather in clumps at the jar’s bottom. In fact, take advantage of the fact that the wet seeds want to cling to the jar’s inside surface. Roll the jar around, causing as many seeds to stick to the surface as possible, then lay the jar on its si
Sprouts grown in the home also present a risk if eaten raw, since most outbreaks have been attributed to contaminated seed. If pathogenic bacteria are present in or on the seed, they can multiply to high levels during sprouting even under clean conditions. Should previously pathogen-free seed or sprouting implements (domes, trays, flats, etc.) become contaminated in the home, the same concerns would apply as under commercial growing conditions. The sprout industry currently applies a 2 percent calcium hypochlorite solution to the seed for about 10 minutes prior to washing with clean water and sprouting. Sodium hypochlorite (household bleach), the most common source of chlorine in the home, is not labeled for this purpose, however, and neither is granular calcium hypochlorite (used for treating swimming pools). Use of chlorine at these levels is not recommended for treating seeds in the home. The following steps are suggested for those who want to produce sprouts at home: 1. Buy certifi
All you need to grow alfalfa sprouts is seeds, a glass jar and a stocking or similar woven fabric or screen. Soak the seeds overnight. Pour out the water and let the seeds sit. Rinse the seeds at least each 24 hours with cool water. When the sprouts are big enough — usually on the fifth or sixth day and looking like those at the right — spread them out and let the sun shine on them a few minutes — maybe 15 minutes, more if you want. This important step activates enzymes and makes the sprouts prettier by making their leaves greener. The brown seed-coats will have come off most beans. If you want, you can remove most of the coats by submerging the sprouts in water, then filtering out the coats, which tend to float to the top. Removing the coats won’t change the taste or nutrition.
