My harvested Mung Bean Sprouts
Mung bean sprouts are very easy to grow.. so simple but so good for our health. The sprouts can be eaten raw as fresh and knackig ( crispy) ingredient that will give a twist to your salad. It belongs to the family of legumes that are rich in vitamins, minerals and other nutrients. Mung beans are also available in asian stores or in Reform Store where they sell mostly organic ingredients. If you want to try growing this, use only good quality beans.
I used my bamboo steamer to grow the beans and a large cake platter below it for the water drippings . The bottom of the bamboo steamer is high enough for the beans not to touch the water drippings below and so it is safe leave it that way. But if you´r using a colander, be sure to add a small bowl turned upside down in the middle to hold the colander to make it higher.
One of the most important things to keep in mind is that never let the beans have the light because the leaves might turn green ,... if that would be the case, the sprouts will become bitter in taste.
Several Potencial Benefits Source
As per the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), 100 grams (g) of boiled mung beans contain:
7.02 g of protein
19.15 g carbohydrate, including 2 g sugar
7.60 g dietary fiber
Antioxidant effects
Research shows that several compounds in mung beans demonstrate antioxidant activity.Antifungal and antimicrobial activity. These include some against the Helicobacter pylori bacteria that causes stomach ulcers.
Anti-inflammatory activity. Test tube studies suggest that mung bean extracts may have potential to improve symptoms of inflammatory conditions, such as allergies.
Diabetes. Studies in rats suggest mung bean extracts may help lower blood glucose levels.
Hypertension. Studies in rats suggest sprout extracts may help lower blood pressure.
Cancer. Test tube studies suggest that compounds in mung beans may have antitumor properties.
How to grow the sprouts...
Materials
200 grams Dried Mung Beans
a Colander or a steamer that has lots of holes on the bottom
a bowl that fits the colander to gather the water drippings
Gauze cloth (sterilized from a pharmacy)
or use sturdy kitchen paper towels
Black cloth to cover the colander completely
A drip bowl for the colander
Preparations:
1... in a bowl of water, add the beans and wash thoroughly. If some beans surfaces , take them out since they are not good and will mostly not sprout.
2...Soak the beans overnight until they get bigger in size, wash again and drain the water.
3...Prepare you plastic colander by lining it with the gauze ... (you can use papertowel sturdy enough not to break when they become wet)
4... Spread the beans onto the colander with the paper towel, covering it completely with 2 paper towels, then water the beans through the paper towels...drain and then completely cover with black cloth preferrably a muslin so the beans can breath. Place an upsided smaller bowl in the middle of the drip bowl for the colander to stand on it. The purpose is the beans should not touch the bottom of the drip bowl , otherwise the beans might get bacteria from the spoiled water drippings.
5... Water the beans 3 times a day... do not remove the covering gauze or paper towel, simply put under running water to completely make it wet. Drain and cover again with the black cloth and place in the dark corner..
Do not forget to empty and wash the drip bowl daily, otherwise bacteria might spoil your beans.
6... Repeat the procedure daily until the 7th day. Harvest your sprouts and remove the roots of the sprouts... The cutting is optional it can also be eaten with the roots.
Please stand-by for Part 2...
At the end of cutting the roots, I put the sprouts in a freezer bags and placed them in the fridge to be used when needed. It can last fresh up to 3 days. Today, I made some spring rolls using the first bag . I have my homemade Spring roll wraps and I will show you how to make it as well as the recipe for the Spring rolls in my next post... this is the end of Part 1.
Hope everyone is taking precautions..
Stay healthy and keep safe!
