Microgreens and
Sprouts
Sprouts
The Production of Seeds
Seed: A plant reproductive package containing
1) Embryo
2) Stored nutrients for developing embryo
3) Protective coating. Prevents...
- Desiccation
- Predators
Parts of young plants
Seed leaves: Part of the embryo of the plant.
The first set of leaves. Usually have a different
shape than the rest of the leaves
True Leaves: Leaves that
develop after germination.
Sprouts and Microgreens
Sprouts: Seeds that have started growing but have
not used up the stored nutrients.
Microgreens: Created when sprouts are allowed to
grow for a longer period of time. They are generally
harvested just as the true leaves start to develop.
Note: If sprouts are allowed to grow for too long
they use up too much of the nutrients and start to
die
Most popular sprouts and Microgreens:
Grasses and grains
• Alfalfa (caution have been cases of e coli in alfalfa from
cattle run off)
• Wheat
• Barley
• Flax
• Sunflower
Most popular sprouts and Microgreens:
Grasses and grains
• Alfalfa (caution have been cases of e coli in alfalfa from
cattle run off)
• Wheat
• Barley
• Flax
• Sunflower
Brassica
• Mustard greens,
• Broccoli (healthiest option)
• Kale
Most popular sprouts and Microgreens:
Grasses and grains
• Alfalfa (caution have been cases of e coli in alfalfa from
cattle run off)
• Wheat
• Barley
• Flax
• Sunflower
Brassica
• Mustard greens,
• Broccoli (healthiest option)
• Kale
Legumes
• Peas, Lentils and Beans
Benefits of Sprouts and Microgreens
• Fast food: Ready in a few
days
• Has 7 times the nutrition
of the mature plant
Protein:
-mature plant has 15g/100g
-sprouts 105g/100g
• Cheep form of nutrition
• Can be grown in home by
anyone
Growing Sprouts
Jar method:
1) Place a table spoon of seeds in a
jar.
2) Cover the lid with mesh and
secure mesh with an elastic.
Growing Sprouts
Jar method:
1) Place a table spoon of seeds in a jar.
2) Cover the lid with mesh and secure mesh with
an elastic.
3) Rinse seeds then soak them for a few hours.
Growing Sprouts
Jar method:
1) Place a table spoon of seeds in a jar.
2) Cover the lid with mesh and secure mesh with
an elastic.
3) Rinse seeds then soak them for a few hours.
4) Poor out the water and let the jar sit upside
down to allow excess water to drip out
Growing Sprouts
Jar method:
1) Place a table spoon of seeds in a jar.
2) Cover the lid with mesh and secure mesh with
an elastic.
3) Rinse seeds then soak them for a few hours.
4) Poor out the water and let the jar sit upside
down to allow excess water to drip out
5) Leave seeds in jar to grow for set number of
days and rinse twice daily
Growing Microgreens
Commercial
1) Sprouts are grown on large
trays lined with absorbent
growing mats
Growing Microgreens
Commercial
1) Sprouts are grown on large
trays lined with absorbent
growing mats
2) Seeds are sprinkled over the
tray and grown covered for the
first few days
Growing Microgreens
Commercial
1) Sprouts are grown on large
trays lined with absorbent
growing mats
2) Seeds are sprinkled over the
tray and grown covered for the
first few days
3) Once the sprouts have
reached the desired length the
cover is removed
Growing Microgreens
Commercial
1) Seeds are grown on large trays
lined with absorbent growing
mats
2) Seeds are sprinkled over the
tray and grown covered for the
first few days
3) Once the sprouts have
reached the desired length the
cover is removed
4) Sprouts are allowed to green
under the fluorescent light
and grown until the true
leaves appear
Why Sprouts Go Bad
Reasons a sprouted batch would go bad:
1) Unclean sprouting container
2) Seeds are not rinsed well enough
3) Seeds sit in stagnant water for too long
4) Seeds are allowed to dry out
5) Not enough air flow
6) Left out too long (can also happen if they
germinate too slowly)
Assignment
Next class: Growing sprouts using the jar
method