Lowly Lentil, How You Vex Me!

Ok, I tried sprouting lentils, and, well, let's just say it was a sad situation. Nothing! Not even a glimmer of hope! My question is, since they've been soaked (for a loooong time), is it still ok to eat them? I mean, will the enzymes have still been activated by the act of soaking? I just hate to waste food, and I really don't want to toss them. Any suggestions as to if it would be alright, would be appreciated, and also, maybe some insight into how to sprout them? I soaked them for 8 hrs., then rinsed them 3 times a day for the recommended amount of days, with a paper towel covering the tupperware.......I'm at a loss.....this is my first foray into sprouting......Thanks!!

Hey girl ~ first of all your title is hysterical (but I would expect nothing less from my great Shell) and secondly, I might question whether the lentils were actually raw. I've always seen a "tail" after 24 on anything I've ever sprouted so if they aren't sprouting I might question that. Also, warm water helps them sprout faster ~ are you using really cold water? Wish I could offer more insight. :o

Hey there, love the title too....

The lentil needs to drain during that rinse cycle. Try sproutbag or overturned jar with cheesecloth, even a colander, if the holes aren't too big. Should sprout after first day....no need to cover. Maybe too hot in the house? Put in Fridge during that cycle? Best of lentil luck :cool:
I would think if you ate them, they may be sour on your tummy. try a little. They may taste moldy.

THanks ladies, for your insight! I asked the girl at the health food store, and she suggested no light, and using a sprout bag in a jar, so maybe I'll give that a try. Justine ~ Heh heh....I figure the weirder the title, the more likely I am to get replies!! Watch out! Who knows WHAT I'll be asking next....heh heh...And hmmm, I don't know about the whole "if they were raw" thing.....isn't that the only way you can buy them? Going to check that out....they were French lentils, but I asked the girl, and she said you can sprout any kind......GAH! Frustrating!
Raw Mom ~ I think you're right about the tummy troubles.....I ate some, mixed with the chickpeas I sprouted (well, they at least have a tail!), and my stomach felt funny afterwards........boo! I didn't want to waste! Oh well......

Perhaps they're shy? hee-hee.

or, if they really are french lentils....they don't understand sprouting directions in english???:D

Do you think my brain will actually "sprout" after going raw? I'd sure love to be able to come back with smart answers the way you all do. I, too, tried sprouting mung beans, alfalfa and lentils last week. I followed Alissa's amounts and used bowls. Only the alfalfa sprouted half decently. This time I decided to use large mason jars which I picked up at the 2nd hand store today. I am thankful to you [I]justinesmith[I]for the reminder about using warm water and I was wondering if anyone would tell me just how much seeds or beans you use per large (1 qt) mason jar? I really think I used too many before and maybe it got overcrowded? Is this question in the wrong place? Thank you all.

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Originally Posted by tiggerbounce

or, if they really are french lentils....they don't understand sprouting directions in english???:D

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Hee. Hee.:D :D :D

Great, so now I have shy, French lentils?! Maybe I should give them a little wine to loosen them up.....Heh heh.....or maybe just a little for myself....

Oh my goodness... you guys slay me! :D

Hi'Ya- I do lots of sprouting. I've found an important element in sprouting to be air circulation. My early attempts at storing them in a cupboard left me with moldy sprouts. One of my best tidbits of advice is to work with small amounts of seeds and grains, just two tablespoons perhaps. But......lentils consistently upset my stomach, and I've heard lots of other Rawbies complain about that too. Finally, in David Wolfe's book The Sunfood Diet Success System there was an explanation. Protein is very irritating on the body, hence the stomach upset. In Alissa's book, she demonstrates the Raw food pyramid of fats, greens, and fruit.
I wouldn't get into sprouting lentils again unless I was going to puree the end product and then ferment it. But my fermenting thumb is not so good.......

Hi all,
I'm basically sprouting everything that I can get hold of and I only use simple empty jars (eg. from Miso, jam...), and I use a small sieve for rinsing (ca. 3x a day, or whenever I think of it). As for the amouts... I have to work on that too....
I always make too many... Not that it wouldn't work because of that... more the opposite - my adzuki sprouts are already coming out of the jar!! :D (help!!! THAT's "living" food... they try to escape?? *lol*).
What I tried so far (and worked perfectly):

• wheat
• buckwheat
• quinoa
• amaranth
• adzuki beans
• chick peas
• fenugreek (my favourites)
• red clover
• alfalfa

The last two I usually grow on a layer of cotton (like cress).
Most of the "raw material" for my sprouting is from the health food store (organic), but eg. the fenugreek was from Tesco's spices section and worked!....

Happy sprouting! ;)

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Originally Posted by Eevie

Hi all,
my adzuki sprouts are already coming out of the jar!! :D (help!!! THAT's "living" food... they try to escape?? *lol*).
Happy sprouting! ;)

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Eevie, I think you may have an adzuki sprout caught in your teeth.;) :D
Seriously cute avitar!

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Eevie, I think you may have an adzuki sprout caught in your teeth.

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:D :D (I definitely want a grinning smiley with wheatgrass between its teeth!!!)
Hehe... yea, poor student, you know... no money for a lawnmower, he he...:D :p

(Woooohoo! I adore "wheatgrass juice chewing gum"... I'd really need a field of wheatgrass instead of that little pot...)

Shell,
It sounds like your lentils may be old and lost their ommph. I find lentils always grow quickly. Maybe try with some others but don't give up as lentil sprouts are yummy.