Sterilize the jar by placing it in a 225 ° F oven for at least 10 minutes. Cooldown to room temperature before using it.
Wash and sterilize the ring.
Step 2: Rinse and Soak
Once you have measured your seeds, rinse them with cool water.
Remove any impurities and any non-seed material.
Place your seeds in a sterile mason jar.
Then, fill your jar halfway with cool water and allow to soak for at least 6-8 hours or overnight.
Cover the jar with the cheesecloth and secure it with the mason ring or an elastic.
Place your jar on a countertop, away from any direct sunshine.
Step 3: Rinse, Drain and Repeat
Pour out the water. The cheesecloth prevents the small seeds from being poured down the drain.
Fill the jar with water, swirl gently and drain.
Once you have completely finished draining, place your jar upside down at a 45-degree angle.
Rinse and drain at least twice a day (morning and evening) for 3-5 consecutive days.
Notes
When to harvest sprouts: After 3-5 consecutive days of rinsing and draining the sprouts, notice how most of the leafy green sprouts have lost their hulls.How to remove the loose hulls: (this is an optional step) Remove sprouts from the jar and place them in a large bowl of cold water. Swirl and separate the sprouts for a minute or so. Then, transfer them to a colander to drain. Any loose hulls and seeds that did not sprout should be left behind in the bowl of water. Repeat if necessary. How to store: Thoroughly drain the sprouts and transfer to an airtight container lined with a paper towel. Just like the rest of the process, the sprouts should never sit in water. How long can they be refrigerated? If stored properly, sprouts can be refrigerated for up to 5 days. DO NOT CONSUME if they start to smell bad or if there is mold.
Tips
In order to avoid contaminated sprouts, always use seeds that are specifically labeled for sprouting and are certified organic and pathogen-free.
The ring and cheesecloth can be replaced with a commercial bean screen.
Throughout the entire process, place the mason jar away from direct sunlight.
Different seeds and beans need to soak for different amounts of time. In general, the larger the seeds or beans, the longer the soak.
1 serving = ½ cup
Why does the mason jar need to be sterilized? We want to grow sprouts that are chemical and pathogen-free. In order to do this, everything that comes into contact with the seeds must be sterilized. The safety of sprouts: Food safety and basic hygiene rules in the kitchen should always be followed. How to grow sprouts safely at home is easy if these principles are followed.One way to eliminate the risk of salmonella and/or bacterial growth is by properly cleaning and disinfecting all equipment before and after each use.I would like to mention that the FDA and Health Canada advise thoroughly cooking sprouts before consumption as they are often linked to food poisoning.