Sprouting Guide

Sprouting seeds, nuts, beans and legumes is a great way to maximize nutrition -- and cut down on cooking time!  Soaking these gems preserves vital enzymes, vitamins and minerals destroyed during cooking.  In addition, the sprouting process converts carbohydrates to protein and B vitamins necessary to grow into a full-sized plant.  All of that nutrition gets transferred to you every time you eat a sprout.

The best method I have found for sprouting is to use a seed tray.  They are by far the simplest tool, and the sprouts are perfect every time.

NUTS

  • Almonds: needs 2-12 hours for soaking. Sprout for 2-3 days if truly raw. The length you choose depends on what you want to use them for; for example, 48 hours of soaking will allow the skins to fall off.
  • Walnuts: 4 hours soaking, do not sprout
  • Brazil Nuts: 3 hours soaking, do not sprout
  • Cashews: 2- 3 hours soaking, do not sprout
  • Hazelnuts: 8 hours soaking, do not sprout
  • Macadamias: 2 hours soaking, do not sprout
  • Pecans: 6 hours soaking, do not sprout
  • Pistachios: 8 hours soaking, do not sprout

BEANS & LEGUMES

  • Chickpeas: 8-12 hours soaking, 2-3 days for sprouting
  • Lentils: 8 hours soaking, 2-3 days for sprouting
  • Adzuki Beans: 8 hours soaking, 2-3 days for sprouting
  • Black Beans: 8-12 hours soaking, 3 days for sprouting
  • White beans: 8 hours soaking, 2-3 days for sprouting
  • Mung Beans: 24 hours soaking, 2-5 days for sprouting
  • Kidney Beans: 8-12 hours soaking, 5-7 days for sprouting
  • Navy Beans: 9-12 hours soaking, 2-3 days for sprouting
  • Peas: 9-12 hours soaking, 2-3 days for sprouting

GRAINS

  • Buckwheat Grains: 30 minutes-6 hours soaking (time varies), 2-3 days for sprouting
  • Amaranth Grains: 8 hours soaking, 1-3 days for sprouting
  • Kamut: 7 hours soaking, 2-3 days for sprouting
  • Millet: 8 hours soaking, 2-3 days for sprouting
  • Oat Groats: 6 hours soaking, 2-3 days for sprouting
  • Quinoa: 4 hours soaking, 1-3 days for sprouting
  • Wheat Berries: 7 hours soaking, 3-4 days for sprouting
  • Wild Rice: 9 hours soaking, 3-5 days for sprouting
  • Black Rice: 9 hours soaking, 3-5 days for sprouting

SEEDS

  • Radish Seeds: 8-12 hours soaking, 3-4 days for sprouting
  • Alfalfa Seeds: 12 hours soaking, 3-5 days for sprouting
  • Pumpkin Seeds: 8 hours soaking, 1-2 days for sprouting
  • Sesame Seeds: 8 hours soaking, 1-2 days for sprouting
  • Sunflower Seeds: 8 hours soaking, 2-3 days for sprouting

 

Jennifer Kellyblock 1Comment