How to start germinating seeds at home
Nowadays, everyone already knows that sprouts are very useful. But here’s what’s so easy to take and start germinating – sometimes, as it were … hands do not reach! What to do to “reach”? It is very simple – to take and figure out, finally, how it is – seedlings at home. Now, in 5 minutes of reading this material, you will 100% understand the topic of germination – and, perhaps, you will start germinating today, and tomorrow you will get the first harvest! It’s easy – and, yes, really – healthy!
What exactly are the benefits of sprouts?
antioxidant activity and nutritional value are much higher in broken seeds and grains;
sprouts are very enzymes, so they strengthen the immune system and heal the whole body as a whole;
sprouts contain many nutrients in an easily digestible form;
regular eating of sprouts helps to reduce excess weight and detoxify the body;
all sprouts contain many vitamins. Including, for example, in 50 g of wheat germ vitamin C as in 6 glasses of orange juice;
many sprouts are very tasty. For example, wheat, sunflower, soybean, mung bean, chickpeas;
many sprouts have healing properties and have been used by traditional medicine of many peoples of the world for thousands of years – including, in China, soybean sprouts began about 5000 years ago!
Do seedlings have negative qualities? Yes there is!
- sprouts contain gluten. If you are allergic to gluten (rare, 0.3-1% of the population) then this is not your food;
- not suitable for children under 12;
- not compatible with milk and dairy products, honey, propolis and pollen, mumiyo, ginseng in one meal;
- suitable for peptic ulcer and flatulence, gallstones, gastritis, nephritis and some other diseases of the gastrointestinal tract *;
- some grains and seeds require a lot of time and attention to germinate, especially flax and rice;
- and sesame seedlings are slightly bitter (although quite edible);
- sprouts are not stored for a long time (no more than 2 days in the refrigerator). The length of the sprouts of edible grain is not more than 2 mm (long sprouts, “green” – are eaten separately);
- some sprouts may contain anti-nutrients, toxins, including -;
- no sprouts are meant to be eaten in large quantities: they are a medicine or food supplement, not food. The daily dose of seedlings should not exceed 50 g (3-4 tablespoons);
- with improper germination, mold and fungi can accumulate on seedlings;
- cereals and bread made from germinated seeds are popular, but not very useful: the nutrients of the germinated seeds are largely lost during such heat treatment.
Therefore, you first need to carefully understand the issue of germination of the culture you like, and therefore take on “gauze”. Fortunately, the piggy bank of “folk raw food” wisdom in this regard is already very rich!
The most popular crops for sprouting:
soy
oats
beans
mung
chick-pea
sesame
pumpkin seeds
lentil
barley
rye
thistle, etc.
Germinating seeds of crops suitable for this is not a problem. But first, make sure – ask the seller when buying – that you are taking really “live”, not processed and not calcined seeds or grains: they usually cost a little more, because. require different storage conditions. Trying to germinate fodder grains or food, “dead” and only ready-to-eat seeds, is like waiting for a cherry seed to hatch from a compote.
Before soaking, the grain selected for germination must be thoroughly rinsed under a tap with cold water to remove small pebbles, sand, etc. Then comes the “viability check”: submerge the germinating grain in water (for example, in a saucepan or in a deep plate) – dead, damaged seeds will float, remove and discard them. Green grains and damaged (broken) grains are also unsuitable. If there is a lot of such grain in the cereal (it is believed that there should be no more than 2%), the entire “batch” is of little use for germination, because. has low vitality.
So, to business! Germination methods:
The simplest, grandmother’s or “plate” way – on a flat plate covered with gauze. Rinse the seeds or grains with cold water, drain the water, pour the seeds onto a plate, cover with a clean damp cloth or damp gauze and place in a dark place or cover (but not airtight). Everything! Moisten the gauze as it dries to keep it moist all the time. Usually, in a day and a half or a maximum of 3 days, the seeds will break through! (Sprouting is faster in the dark). The most useful seeds are with sprouts of 1-2 mm. Seize the moment!
“Conveyor method”: three or four glasses of drinking water are taken, each one is placed in a tea strainer to fit the size of the glass. The water should just touch the strainer. We put seeds of different crops in glasses, taking into account the germination time – so as to get a crop every day. Please note that the water in all (!) Glasses must be changed at least 3 times a day, the water must be drinking (without bleach), for example, mineral from a bottle or from under a filter.
- “Technological”. A special “germination glass” is used, which is sold in stores and on the Internet. Variants of glasses are different, more expensive-cheaper. The glass looks aesthetically pleasing and convenient in that the grain in it does not get dusty, does not dry out and does not become moldy.
Fans of “sprouts”, “green” – full-fledged sprouts that go to salad or juice (including wheatgrass), soak the grain for 7-10 days, regularly changing the water.
Important:
1. Water from under germinated seeds cannot be drunk, it contains not vitamins, but poisons.
2. Do not eat unsprouted seeds.
3. Before eating, germinated grain seeds should be thoroughly washed with cold water (and, possibly, quickly scalded with boiling water) in order to be safe from spores of moldy fungi.
4. Although many sprouts, including sprouts, are a bio-active supplement (a useful addition to a complete diet), they are not a cure. The consumption of sprouts is not a substitute for medical advice and treatment.
5. The effect of sprouts during pregnancy has not yet been exhaustively studied – consult your doctor.
That’s all! May sprouted food bring you health and joy. Sprouts are easy!
Additionally: there are a lot of sprouts on the Internet.
*If you suffer from chronic or acute diseases of the digestive, genitourinary system, consult your doctor before eating sprouts.