Sprouting duration question

[maraw]

When I read in the books/sprouting charts that a bean or seed needs to sprout for 2-3 days, is it essential that it go that long? I have noticed that my beans (lentils for example) sprout after only 24 hours. Do the sprouts need to be a certain length? I thought the enzymes were activated as soon as the little shoots break through.

This may seem like a silly question, it is just that sprouting is new to me and I want to make sure I am getting the most nutritional benefits from sprouting.

Thanks.

[Jodi]

I'm sure you'll get some replies from others, here...but one website you might want to check is the sproutpeoples. I have found a lot of useful info there on sprouting:

Sproutpeople

Concerning something like wheat berries. I was told by some of the members here that when their tails are about a 1/4 inch they are ready to be used for breads and crackers. I'm not sure about beans, tho, as I haven't tried sprouting them yet.



Jodi

[PixieGreen]

Maraw, the enzymes are activated but a sprout's nutritional value [vitamins/ minerals] increases severalfold the first few days of sprouting. So if you wait three days you will get a lot more nutrients.

Christa