sunflower seeds -- do they or don't they??

[sptygl]

do they sprout?

i've seen different remarks on whether they SPROUT or not.
some have said they just swell, others thought it was possible to sprout them. hmm???? :confused:

i haven't done all that much sprouting... but just recently sprouted lentils very well -- to my surprise!! it was fun seeing little shoots coming out!! :p

the BIGGER question is -- are there that many additional health benefits from sprouting?
and... why exactly is it healthier?

i don't know if anyone else experiences a dry papery taste to sunflower seeds.... lol They just don't seem to be my favorite seed/nut
I was wondering after soaking/sprouting, if it might have a different taste

thanks!!
also.. does anyone know what seeds, nuts, etc.. would be the healthiest?

[DavidZaneMason]

To answer the first part (and part of the second): raw sunflower seeds sprout VERY well....and quickly. And they can be eating as sprouts....or planted to grow micro-greens. The taste CAN be peppery...but good. Just my experience.

-David Z. Mason

[shashibala]

When a nut or seed sprouts, it becomes easier to digest because the enzymes become active. Sprouts are a living food. If you sprout them at home, they may be the freshest food we can get. They contain lots of phytonutrients that protect against disease. They contain more nutrients as sprouts than at any other time in the life of a plant. If allowed to sprout/ grow until leaves are formed, as in micro-greens, we get the added health benefits of eating chlorophyll. They are very economical. I love sprouts!

[cara4art]

Sprouts are awesome! And yes, sunflower seeds sprout very well. You can either use them when they just have little tails, or all the way to just before sunflower greens(which you then have to plant to get them to get to full sunflower greens which are so-delicious!). Plus with sunflower seeds you can also just soak them and then blend and ferment somewhat for a lovely seed cheese. I've done this tons of times, adding seasonings for variation, plus you can thin that out for a great salad dressing. IMO, sunflower seeds are a raw foods pantry staple and they are more frugal than the more expensive nuts anyway, and lower in fat than some other varieties.

[shashibala]

Cara4art, Do you add anything to your blended seeds to ferment them, like a probiotic? Or do they just ferment in a warm place? I tried to do this and it was
shall we say, yucky. I really want to get it to work! Thank you!

[veganman]

The reference to just swelling makes me think of sprouting descriptions for almonds...many books state that almonds just swell rather than officially sprout.

[DavidZaneMason]

Veganman: That is certainly true. Anyone who has actually gotten an almond to form a small green plant has my unrestricted admiration and respect. Doing so with sunflower seeds is rather easy. (thank goodness!)

-David Z. Mason

[Revvell]

The reference to just swelling makes me think of sprouting descriptions for almonds...many books state that almonds just swell rather than officially sprout.

So, do they actually sprout? I've not had one do so. They just get fat. :D

[Anastasia Alston]

My hazelnuts get fat & then get these cute little pointy things on the small end, like they're about to get a tail. Then I dehydrate them. I've found that not only do I prefer the taste of soaked nuts more, but since I've made a habit of eating only soaked & dehydrated nuts, I can no longer tolerate unsoaked nuts very well.

Sunflower seeds do sprout if they're raw, btw. I've done it & it's worked very nicely & it's QUICK, though not as fast as lentil sprouts. I have yet to see anything sprout as fast as a lentil, though mung beans come in a very close second. :D

- Stasi, Pea Pod (Morab), Rosie Cotton & Binnabik (The Pibble Posse)

[sptygl]

that's interesting!!

yes.. my lentils sprouted so quickly and i found it to be very simple to do

working on the sunflowers at the moment... soaked last night, and now rinsed couple times. just waiting to see how they look tomorrow! :)

[sptygl]

i think i am beginning to see some little sprouts shooting out of my sunflower seeds!!
it's so cool to see how quickly that happens!!

the lentils seemed to be the easiest.....and even after sprouted they continued to grow bigger sprouts in the fridge.
i heard mung bean sprout well too.. maybe i'll try them soon

they are so yummy.... i need to make larger quantities because i tend to snack on them before they finish growing tails!! lol
:)

[Blazin'Jane]

Mung bens sprout very quickly and so do garbanzo beans, which I love in salads. Buckwheat sprouts easily, but likes to be rinsed more, even in the soaking stage. I don't think they are as tasty as mung, lentil, and garbanzo, but I like them fine i smoothies.

[sptygl]

sunflower seeds sprouted.. and quickly!!
they are continuing to grow, even now in the container i now have them stored in (fridge)

[jacsam]

Not only do they sprout well, quickly and easily but I add them to the following salad and if I haven't eaten it within about 3 days I'll see the sunflower seeds sprouting which just makes things better

califlower - small bite size pieces
broccilli - small bite size pieces
red onion - thin rings
grape tomatoes
sesame seeds - lots
sunflower seeds - lots

Toss and I like to put a simple sweet dressing on mine. This is great to take when your going to be away from home for several days. I just make it up and put it in a baggie and keep it cold.

[Bethanie]

They are coming up nicely but i'm seeing a little white puffy things, not too bad but what is it?
Will it destroy my sunflower sprouts?
Help me please, i purchased them in the health food store love them but want to grow them here at home.
B.