Sprouting Instructions
Yields approximately 2 Cups (1/2 lb.) of Sprouts
Hot + Sweet requires 2 steps.
We send the seeds in 2 bags:
Wheat, Peas and Lentils in one, Radish in another.
Step 1
Prep 1-2 Tablespoons of the Radish mix* then transfer (if necessary) into a bowl or into your Sprouter.
Add 2-3 times as much cool (60°-70°) water.
Mix seeds up to assure even water contact for all.
Note: These - like others in their family (Brassica) tend to float. Try to sink those that do by knocking them down with your fingers. It isn't a big deal but it is a good habit.
Allow seeds to Soak for 6-12 hours.
Empty the seeds into your sprouter (if necessary).
Drain off the soak water.
Rinse thoroughly with cool (60°-70°) water.
Drain thoroughly.
Set your Sprouter anywhere out of direct sunlight and at room temperature (70° is optimal) between Rinses.
This is where your sprouts do their growing. We use a counter top - right in the middle of our kitchen. We don't mind the diffuse sunlight or the 150 watts of incandescent light, because light just does not matter much. A plant can only perform photosynthesis when it has leaves. Until then light has little if any effect, so don't hide your sprouts!
Rinse and Drain again every 8-12 hours for 3 days.
As long as you grow you have to keep the sprouts happy!
Note: The Radish has a unique root structure. All Brassicas will show microscopic roots starting around day 3. They are called root hairs and are most visible just before Rinsing when the sprouts are at their driest. When you Rinse the root hairs will collapse back against the main root. These root hairs impress many people as mold - but they are not. Now you know!
At this point you start the other seeds:
Step 2
Put 1/2 Cup of Wheat, Pea, Lentil Mix* into a bowl or your Sprouter.
Add 2-3 times as much cool (60-70°) water.
Mix seeds up to assure even water contact for all.
Allow seeds to Soak for 8-12 hours.
Choices: You may Soak the Wheat & Pea & Lentil Mix and then add them to the growing Radish or you can sprout them all separately and mix them later. We grow them separately - that's the only way we can Green the Radish.
Whichever method you choose, follow these directions to complete the mix:
Empty the seeds into your sprouter (if necessary).
Drain off the soak water.
Rinse thoroughly with cool (60-70°) water.
Drain thoroughly.
Set anywhere out of direct sunlight and at room temperature (70° is optimal) between Rinses.
Rinse and Drain again in 8-12 hours.
And, once more...
Rinse and Drain again in 8-12 hours.
And, perhaps once more...
Rinse and Drain in 8-12 hours.
We usually stop here. We like these sprouts small.
Depending on your climate and the time of year you are sprouting and most importantly your personal preference - You may Rinse and Drain again at 8-12 hour intervals for up to 6 days. However - we prefer to sprout only to the point where the Lentils have sprouted tiny (1/8-1/4 inch) roots, which is typically after just 3 Rinse and Drain cycles.
The Wheat & Pea & Lentil Mix is done now!
What is below is what you do with the Radish if you're growing them separately:
Another Choice: If you chose to grow in 2 Sprouters, you may proceed to Green your Radish mix before mixing it with the big seeds. You perform the following steps at the same time you are sprouting the Wheat & Pea & Lentil Mix in a separate sprouter.
Greening
On the 4th day relocate your Radish sprouts (if necessary).
If you've been keeping them away from light, move them. Avoid direct sun - it can cook your sprouts. Indirect sunlight is best but virtually any light will do. Experiment - you will be amazed at how little light sprouts require to green up.
Note: Our Radish mix, when Greened, provides a huge visual plus. It produces greens, reds, purples, yellow and more! If it is just about consuming you don't have to bother, but, if you care about presentation, you really should go ahead and Green the Radish mix before mixing it with the big seeds.
Continue to Rinse and Drain every 8-12 hours.
As long as you grow you have to keep the sprouts happy.
Finishing
Your sprouts will be done during day 5 or 6.
The majority of Radish sprouts will have open leaves which will be green, red, yellow, purple, etc., if you exposed them to light.
De-Hull
Before your final Rinse remove the seed hulls.
Radish sprout hulls are quite large (relative to the seed and sprout) and they hold a lot of water, so we remove them:
Transfer the Radish sprouts to a big (at least 3-4 times the volume of your sprouter) pot or bowl, fill with cool water, loosen the sprout mass and agitate with your hand. Skim the hulls off the surface. Return the sprouts to your sprouter for their Rinse and Drain. That's the short course - here is the full lesson.
Harvest
Your sprouts are done 8-12 hours after your final rinse. After the De-Hulling and the final Rinse we need to Drain very thoroughly and let our sprouts dry a bit. If we minimize the surface moisture of our sprouts they store much better in refrigeration, so we let them sit for 8-12 hours....
OR
We can use a salad spinner to dry the sprouts after their final Rinse and skip the final 8-12 hour wait, instead going directly to Refrigeration.
Mix Note: If you grew separately you can mix them at any time you like.
Refrigerate
Transfer the sprout crop to a plastic bag or the sealed container of your choice.
Notes:
When conditions are warm your sprouts will likely grow faster. If their leaves open sooner you should green and de-hull and harvest sooner. Likewise they may grow slower if conditions are very cool. These are just tiny plants they are not difficult to understand. The more you sprout the better you'll know them and be able to adjust to their needs. As always 70° is optimal and 70° is what our instructions are written for.
All sprouts generate heat while growing, which is a good thing, but it can get out of hand on occasion. When the weather is especially hot and humid you will do well to Rinse more frequently (every 8 hours if possible) using colder water than usual (the coldest your tap can offer is fine), to compensate.
Depending on your sprouting device, not all of your sprouts will have access to light and so some will not green. This is not only OK - it is good. The yellow sprouts will be equally nutritious (they have everything but chlorophyll) and many think them more delicious (in Europe vegetables are often grown "blanched" by avoiding light). We think they are prettier when there is a mix of green and yellow to go with the white roots. So don't sweat it - just eat more sprouts!
The Radish mix should be prevented from clumping. Mix ‘em up! We use high water pressure when Rinsing to keep our sprouts loose, but this only works for so long - so - when water isn't enough, break the clump of sprouts up using a fork or your fingers (wash your hands first please, if they need it). If you are using a sprouter that can hold water, fill it mostly full then use a fork to loosen. You can also dump your sprouts onto or into something and just shake them apart. You should never be afraid** of touching your sprouts. They are much stronger then they appear - just be reasonably gentle.
** The only thing to fear is fear itself.
* If using Single Harvest Pack - use the whole bags.
The Wheat & Pea & Lentil Mix yield approximately 1.75:1. The Radish mix yields approximately 5:1. Feel free to sprout more than these instructions call for - just use your Sprouting Device's capacity as a guide.
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