How to Grow Alfalfa Sprouts in My Kitchen
Alfalfa sprouts are widely used in salads and other delights. They are bursting with taste and with nutrients. Growing your own alfalfa sprouts is a step towards eating healthy and local. You can avoid processed food and the sugar in them by growing your own food. Alfalfa is a very undemanding plant and can easily be grown in an area as small as a jar. It sprouts readily and you can use it in no time. It will not take you much effort and you will be proud of the progress while you work in the kitchen each day.
Things Required:
– Alfalfa seeds
– Tablespoon measuring spoon
– Strainer
– Quart-size mason jar
– Filtered water
– Cheesecloth
– Rubber band
– Plastic bag or container
Instructions
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1
Place 1/4 cup of alfalfa seeds in a sieve. Now inspect the seeds carefully and remove any abnormal or broken ones. Rinse them under water.
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2
Take a sterilized canning jar so that any mold formation is prevented. Pour in the seeds. Now add warm water to the jar, enough to cover two inches above the seeds. Cover the jar with cheesecloth so that it prevents entry of any contaminants. Let the seeds soak in the water overnight so that they are softened and ready to sprout.
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3
In the morning, fasten the cheesecloth to the jar well with a rubber band. It should be totally secure before you proceed. Tilt the jar over to drain the water, leaving the seeds inside the jar. Drain out the entire water. Open up the cheesecloth. Fill the jar with fresh water. Replace the cheesecloth. Give the jar a good shake and then drain off this water. This will rinse the seeds. Turn the jar upside down and leave it in this position for the rest of the day.
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4
Repeat the rinsing process in the evening of the same day, the next morning and evening and so on for the next five days days. Alfalfa will begin to sprout within five days. Keep rinsing the seeds until the Alfalfa are two inches long. Harvest the Alfalfa after five days, when they are their peak. You can store them in a plastic bag for storage in refrigerator. Since the process is so easy, you can simply sterilize the jar and start growing Alfalfa again.
