What Are Sprouts?: Why You Should Grow This Power Food in Your Indoor Winter Garden?

What are sprouts? What’s so great about them? Sprouts are the perfect winter food. You can grow them yourself in your indoor garden! Read on to learn more about what sprouts are, why you should eat them, and how to grow them at home.

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I started growing sprouts as a way to provide fresh greens to my family during the winter months. We found them a delicious crispy addition to soups, salads, and sandwiches.

Well, researching how to get started, I ended up buying an amazing sprouter on Amazon and we now have two trays going at all times – one for our own use, and one that we share with friends and family.

Read This Post To Learn About The Victorio Kitchen Crop: The #1 Best Sprout Maker To Grow Fresh Sprouts All Winter Long

Best Sprout Maker - Alfalfa Sprouts On A Plate

What are Sprouts?

Sprouts are tiny, immature plants that have not yet developed leaves or flowers. They are typically eaten when they are only a few days old and still very small. These little plants can be grown from almost any type of seed, including beans, peas, lentils, sunflower seeds, and wheat berries.

What are the Benefits of Eating Sprouts?

Sprouts are a great source of nutrition. They are a healthy, high-growing food because of their nutritional value. They have high levels of protein, fiber, and vitamins A, B, and C. Sprouts also have important minerals such as iron and zinc. These power foods can be grown easily without a lot of tools or fuss in a relatively small space – perfect for indoor winter gardening!

Why Should You Grow Sprouts in Your Indoor Winter Garden?

You can grow sprouts in your indoor garden to get a healthy, crunchy snack. Yum! The best thing about growing sprouts is that they are very easy and low-maintenance. You don’t need a lot of space and you can grow them year-round which makes them the perfect choice for your winter indoor garden. What’s even better is that sprouts are inexpensive to buy and easy to make at home.

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How to Grow Sprouts

The best way to grow sprouts is in a sprouter. A sprouter is a container with several small compartments that allow the seeds to be watered and drained easily. You can buy one or make your own from an old jar or plastic food storage container. Growing sprouts in your winter garden are super easy.

You’ll need just a few things to get started:

Sprouting Seeds
Your choice of sprouter or old jar/plastic food storage container
Water

Step By Step Instructions for Growing Sprouts

Step #1 – Soak your seeds in water overnight or for at least eight hours.

Step #2 – Rinse the seeds with fresh water to remove any dirt that might have grown up along with them. Drain off all excess liquid and keep rinsing until there is no more foam coming from the seeds when they’re swished around by hand under running tap water.

Step #3 – Place the soaked seeds in your sprouter or jar, cover with a light towel and let them sit at room temperature for about 12 hours to germinate. Soaking is important because it helps get rid of anti-nutrients that might be present in some types of seeds (such as phytic acid) which can prevent the absorption of important nutrients.

Step #4 – After 12 hours, drain all excess water from your seeds and rinse them again. Drain off any remaining liquid and place a lid on top to keep in moisture while they’re growing. Keep rinsing with fresh water two or three times per day, draining off excess liquid after each time you swish the seeds around.

Step #5 – In about two or three days, your sprouts will be ready to eat! They should be a nice green color and have a crispy texture. Enjoy them fresh in salads, sandwiches, or just on their own as a healthy snack!

Tips for Sprout Success

Provide Your Sprouts with Air Circulation – All living things need air to survive, and sprouts are no exception. Sprouts that have been sitting on a counter will not only look wilted and sad – they’ll be less healthy as well. To keep your sprouts from suffocating, use a lid on top of the container to provide an air gap.
De-hulling Your Finished Product – you finish growing your sprouts, it’s important to give them a good rinse before you eat them or store them for later. If you’re going to store them for later, it’s worth taking the time to remove the hulls from them as this will prevent them from going bad and rotting quickly. De-hulling your sprouts improve the texture and make them easier to eat.
Store Your Sprouts the Right Way – The best way to store your sprouts is sealed in a zip-locked bag. They will stay fresh for up to three days when sealed and stored at room temperature. What’s even better is that you can enjoy them as a crunchy, healthy snack!
Keep Your Sprouter Clean – The sprouter should be kept clean to avoid bacteria from growing on the surface. It is advisable to rinse your sprouts with fresh water two or three times a day to prevent them from getting any unwanted residue from other foods. You can use a plastic spoon to scrape off any unwanted residue before you rinse the sprouts again.

Frequently Asked Questions

The term “sprouts” can be used to describe a wide variety of edible plants that are germinated and grown in water. Some of the most common types of sprouts include:

Mung beans
Alfalfa
Lentils
Sunflower seeds

All of these foods are considered to be healthy and nutritious additions to any diet. They’re low in calories but high in fiber, protein, and vitamins, making them the perfect snack for people who are trying to stay healthy. Sprouts can be eaten fresh or cooked, and work well in salads, sandwiches, or as a standalone dish.

There is some evidence that suggests that sprouts may help with weight loss. One study showed that subjects who ate sprouts regularly had lower body mass indexes (BMIs) and waist circumferences than those who didn’t. This is likely due to the high fiber content of sprouts, which can help to regulate digestion and make you feel fuller for longer. Sprouts are a low-calorie food, so they can be a great addition to any diet if you’re looking to lose weight.

It’s important to clean your sprouts before you eat them or store them for later. What’s the best way to clean them?

It’s really easy: just rinse them with fresh water two or three times a day and eat them as soon as possible!

Read This Post To Learn How To Start Your Own Seedlings This Spring: The Beginners Guide To Starting Seeds Indoors in 2021

The Last Thing You Need To Know About Growing Sprouts

If you’re looking for a way to add some variety and nutrients into your diet this winter, sprouts are an excellent choice. Growing them indoors can provide the fresh vegetables that you want without actually having to go out in the cold weather!

If you are looking for ways to get started on your journey to self-sufficiency by growing your own food, tell me in the comments below what you would like to learn about!

5 Comments

Katherine says:

November 12, 2022 at 7:43 pm

I had no idea sprouts were so good for you and so easy to grow! I love the extra tips section to get the most out of your sprout growing! Thank you for sharing this!

Tina says:

November 12, 2022 at 7:55 pm

I love sprouts, so easy to grow, delicious and healthy 💚! My favourite is mung beans.

Kirsten says:

November 12, 2022 at 8:02 pm

Great post!

Yzzy says:

November 12, 2022 at 8:35 pm

I love sprouts but I had no idea that they were so nutritious and easy to cultivate. Thank you!

Patricia P says:

November 14, 2022 at 6:17 pm

Excellent post. Thank you for sharing this. I love growing my own food and sprouts are so easy. They are nutritious and are delightful in salads and sandwiches. Yum.