bowls of sprouts

Best Sprouts to Grow Indoors

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Kent
Kent
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#Plant Types

Growing sprouts for eating used to be only for the tie-dyed crowd, but more people every day are starting to grow their own. There are many reasons why, but one of the most important is the health benefits that are available. Since sprouts are just infant plants, they need a lot of power to grow in the form of nutrients.

By eating them, those are passed on to us. They are also rich in antioxidants, improve digestion, and may even have anti-tumor effects. Add to that the fact that they can be grown year-round, so you have a source of healthy, living greens even in the dark days of winter. And finally, sprouts are very easy to grow. So now we know why you should grow sprouts. Next up is what to sprout.

single sprout

Which Sprouts Should You Grow Indoors?

Once you’ve gathered a sprouting jar and lid, or a special sprouting container, you’re ready to sprout! Almost any seed will sprout given the right conditions, but here is a list of the most popular types.

alfalfa sprouting seeds

Alfalfa

SPROUT

Alfalfa sprouts are the number one seed to plant. When you think of alfalfa, you might think that it’s what cows eat. While this is true of the full-grown plant, but the sprout has a mild flavor and texture. They grow rapidly and are ready to harvest in about a week.

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Some people like to green them up by moving the sprouting container where it will get some sun on the fourth day or so. Just a few teaspoons of alfalfa seeds will quickly fill your container. Very high in vitamin K for healthy calcium levels.

SPROUT

Clover sprouts look a lot like alfalfa sprouts but are a bit sweeter. Sprout them in the same way as alfalfa, giving the sprouts some indirect sun starting on the fourth day. Ready to harvest in a week, they are also high in vitamins C and K as well as quite a bit of fiber.

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clover

Clover

broccoli seeds

Broccoli

SPROUT

Good news for those who don’t like broccoli: these sprouts don’t taste like the full-grown plant. They contain all the vitamins and minerals as other sprouts but also contain sulforaphane, which is an important compound in battling cancer.

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Broccoli sprouts have a bit of a grassy, nutty taste with a slight kick. Sprout them in the same manner as other sprouts, although they will probably be ready to harvest a few days earlier.

SPROUT

Fenugreek sprouts are a bit more unusual, but sprout easily and are important for female breast health, and can also help relieve symptoms of menopause. Small servings promote estrogen, but larger servings reduce estrogen and help increase testosterone levels.

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fenugreek seeds

Fenugreek

They taste like curry, although others claim they make sweat and urine smell like maple syrup.

speckled pea sprouting seeds

Green Pea

SPROUT

Green pea sprouts have a mild, sweet taste, a lot like snow peas. They are rich in vitamin C as well as other nutrients. Easy to sprout, they don’t need sunlight and are ready to harvest in about four days.

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Broccoli sprouts have a bit of a grassy, nutty taste with a slight kick. Sprout them in the same manner as other sprouts, although they will probably be ready to harvest a few days earlier.

SPROUT

Mung bean sprouts are what you often find in Asian cooking. They have thick, white stems and taste a bit like green peas. They also have a good crunch. Very quick to sprout, usually just in three or four days. Good to eat fresh or cooked.

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mung seeds

Mung

microgreens

Veggies

SPROUT

Many sprouts have the same characteristics as a mature plants. For instance, onion and mustard sprouts, radish, and cabbage all taste like their names.

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When sprouting, the seeds must be rinsed and drained twice a day. If you’re worried, it’s fine to rinse and drain up to four times a day. Finally, pregnant people and those with compromised immune systems might be better off cooking all sprouts.

Seeds You Shouldn’t Use for Sprouting

While most seeds can be sprouted, there are some that should not be eaten as sprouts because of toxins in the seeds. These include kidney beans, tomato seeds, eggplant, all peppers, potatoes, and rhubarb.

seeds and sprouts

Best Places to Get Indoor Sprout Seeds

Here are four different places you can find spouts online:

  1. Amazon

    Amazon is an easy place to find almost anything, including the seeds and materials you need to grow sprouts. You can find individually packaged seeds or sampler packs so that you can ultimately find the taste you like best.

  2. True Leaf Market

    True Leaf Market offers a large selection of organic and non-GMN sprouting seeds that you can use to grow your own delicious sprouts.

  3. Johnny Seeds

    You can find at least 15 types of sprouting seeds on the Johnny Seeds website. They all come untreated and have tested negative for E. coli 0157 and Salmonella.

  4. Sprout House

    Sprout House has a nice selection of non-GMO sprouting seeds. Each comes with a full description so you will exactly what you are going to get.

There are several kinds of seeds that you can grow for tasty sprouts. Try out as many as you wish in order to find the ones that appeal most to your taste buds. You should be aware, however, that while they are generally safe, there are some health concerns when eating sprouts due to the bacteria on the plant. If you are pregnant or have a sensitive stomach, you may want to choose to avoid them.