Sprouting

[lilnet]

Hi! I just joined this forum, and I am hoping to take a raw foods chef certification class soon. I have a question about sprouting. I have sprouted my own alfalfa before, and the sprouts were delicious! The other day, I went to an herbs class, and the teacher expressed a concern for us sprouting in our home, because of E. coli. How do we know that the seeds we get in the store are not contaminated? Even if they are organic? Is there a risk in sprouting? I have eaten a lot of sprouts, and I want to do more in my home. I just want to make sure I am safe.

Thank you!

[JinxieKat]

To the best of my understanding the times that produce have been contaminated with e.coli have been all traceable back to animal waste or improper handleing of the fresh product after it has been picked. With that in mind there should be very little risk of e. coli when you grow your own sprouts. As for contamination of the seeds itself it is possible, certianly, but to cut down your risk you can use organic seeds and make sure you wash the seeds well before you soak them. From what I've read I don't think contaminated seeds is likely. I was trying to figure out what kills e. coli besides heat but didn't have any luck in my quick research. If you are very worried about it do some research on e. coli to find out what conditions it needs to live. Likely, and this is just my best guess from what I read, they need moisture. Not alot of moisture on a seed after all. I don't know if lack of mosture kills them or makes it go dorment or doesn't affect it at all. It would be worth looking into though.

Jinx

[carolg]

Anyone using hydrog. peroxide to soak seeds in before sprouting? What kind of hyd. perox. as I think there is one for edible uses. Maybe same one for cuts but not sure. I heard this prevents mold too.

I have been unlucky with my old alfalfa and mixed spicy sprouts. Two different kinds and took forever for alfalfa to grow and gave up on spicy as no signs of life to keep washing/rinsing almost a week later. The alfalfa also took close to a week for just a few.

carolg

[portiz]

I order my seeds from the sprout people because they have quite a variety of organic seeds. i also bought a sprouter from them. i heard that as long as you drain the seeds very well, you shouldn't have a problem wiht mold. also you could use a nut milk bag to help with draining.
so far the sprouter from the sprout people has worked out really well. it lets you drain the seeds after rinsing them without seed loss. and i throw it in the dishwasher after every use.

[Veganforlife]

I second the sprout people. Awesome bunch of folks and products.
www.sproutpeople.com