| Key Insights: • Not only are sprouts the fastest growing veggies (3-5 days), but they are also extremely nutritious • For maximum benefit, grow broccoli or other cruciferous veggie sprouts as they contain the highest amount of the anti-cancer, anti-inflammatory, anti-aging, bad cholesterol lowering and nootropic compound sulforaphane • Harvest them at 2-3 days when sulforaphane is at its maximum • Disinfect seeds using 5-10% apple cider vinegar and water solution |
Non-GMO Sprouting Seeds
Ngl, it’s far more difficult and time consuming to harvest seeds for sprouts. Instead, prepare ahead of time and purchase a large bag of organic and non-GMO sprouting seeds.
Also, instead of alfalfa, select sprout seeds from a cruciferous vegetable like broccoli, kale, mustard greens, or Brussels sprouts, as they contain the highest amounts of sulforaphane.
According to biomedical researcher Dr. Rhonda Patrick, sulforaphane is a powerful anti-aging and nootropic compound, for which its precursor is found in broccoli sprouts, in particular, at about 100x the level found in mature broccoli.
I don’t know about you, but I would rather eat 100x less broccoli if I had a choice. Granted, the extra fiber is also beneficial, but my point stands.
There is evidence that sulforaphane is also an emergent anti-cancer stem cell agent (Paper: Universidade de São Paulo)
Sprouting Jar
You can purchase mason jars for sprouting, or repurpose old pasta sauce jars to make sprouts.
To go with the sprouting jar you’ll want a mesh lid for drainage which you can order online at low cost. Look for stainless steel which will last for many sproutings.
Alternatively, you can use a cheese cloth tied with a rubber band, or even a coffee filter.
How to Grow Broccolli Sprouts
Step 1 – Clean and Rinse
Fill your sprouting jar in a solution of 90-95% water and 5-10% apple cider vinegar. White vinegar is also fine to use.
Add 2 to 3 tablespoons of seed to the solution and stir. More seed will make the jar congested with sprouts.
Let the seeds rest for 10 minutes to allow the apple cider vinegar to disinfect the sprouts.
Rinse very well with clean water. I rinse six times.
Step 2 – Sit Overnight
After rinsing, fill the jar with clean water with the seeds in it, and place the jar on the counter overnight.
Step 3 – Drain Daily for 2-3 Days
In the morning, drain all the water and slowly rotate the bottle to coat the walls of the jar with seeds. This spreads the seeds out evenly.
Let the jar sit in a bowl at an angle to allow water to completely drain. I use the bowl rim to help angle the jar downwards.
Rinse twice a day for a few days, taking care to drain all the water each time.
Harvest microgreens at 2-3 days for maximum sulforaphane and to minimize the risk of bacterial growth.
Harvest at 4-5 days for broccoli sprouts.
100x More Sulforaphane Than in Mature Broccoli
Enjoy eating 100x less broccoli for the same nutritious effect!