Bitter Sprouts

[RowanC]

Does anyone have the problem of their sprouts tasting bitter?
A couple of the recipes I've made for "burgers" or cookies have had this bitter undertaste. It seems to be mostly the oat sprouts, but others too. Is this normal or am I doing something wrong?

[SamuelWilson]

The bitterness you are referring is a natural defense mechanism to discourage animals from eating them. When you soak nuts or seeds, I recommend changing the water after the first half hour of soaking because that is when they discharge the most bitterness. You then change the water every couple of hours after that until you are through soaking. I rinse them well under the faucet in a mesh basket in between water changes. It is not good enough to just pour out the water and change it, take the time to rinse them under the faucet. I find that by doing this, that I have much better tasting sprouts in the end.

I want to add that this is not a requirement, honestly, I soak many things with out changing the water. It is just according to what it is and what you are making. Every one's taste buds are different. This is how I can eat something so spicy hot that it would put most people in excruciating pain. I have obviously become acclimated to the capsicum in hot chile peppers.

[maydolphin10]

the bitterness occurs when the sprouts see light. keep them in a dark place and they should be fine