Sprouting Mung Beans

Soak about 1 tbsp seeds or ¼ cup/60 g grain or beans in 1 qt/1 L lukewarm water overnight (here, mung beans are shown). This encourages germination. Note Many expand to 5 or 6 times their original size, so be sure they have room to expand.

Drain the beans and put them in a large sterilized jar or crock, at least 1 qt/1 L capacity. Cover it with a dampened piece of cheesecloth, fasten with a rubber band, and put in a warm place around 70°F/21°C, away from direct sunlight. Rinse the beans 2-3 times a day (soybeans and chickpeas should be rinsed 4 times), filling the jar with water and then draining it before adding fresh water to cover the beans again. Keep the jar covered with cheesecloth.

When the sprouts have grown to the size you wish, rinse them and discard any seeds that have not germinated. Sprouts can be refrigerated up to 2 days after draining.