Soaking and Sprouting Grains: The How

Elevate your nutrition with the transformative process of soaking and sprouting grains. Unlock the full potential of grains by soaking them to enhance digestibility and reduce anti-nutrients, while sprouting activates enzymes, increases nutrient availability, and adds a delightful crunch.

Soaking Grains

Ingredients:

• Whole grains
• Water (preferably filtered)
• An acid medium like lemon juice or apple cider vinegar

Directions:

1. Pour grains into a bowl and cover with warm or room temperature filtered water.
2. Add approximately one teaspoon of lemon juice or apple cider vinegar per one cup of warm filtered water.
3. Cover and allow to sit at room temperature for 7 hours or longer. Change the water after 24 hours if you’re still soaking.
4. Drain and rinse the grains before cooking with fresh water.

Notes:

• Even though 7-8 hours is the minimum recommended for soaking, even a few hours is better than nothing.
• An extra benefit to soaking grains is a shorter cooking time. The longer you soak them, the less time and water is needed to cook.

Sprouting Grains

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup whole grains
• Water (preferably filtered)

Directions:

1. Place the grains in a strainer or colander, rinse well, and drain.
2. Place the grains in a 1 quart jar and cover with water by a couple inches. Let stand overnight or at least 12 hours.
3. Drain the grains.
4. Cover the jar with a sprouting lid/screen OR a double layer of cheesecloth secured with a metal screw band or a rubber band.
5. Turn the jar upside down and at an angle so that excess water can drain and air can circulate. Place the jar in a bowl to catch the water. Keep it out of direct light.
6. Every 12 hours or so, pour water into the jar and swirl it to evenly rinse all the grains. Pour off the water and invert the jar as in Step 5.
7. The grains should sprout in 1 to 5 days. You will know they are ready when they have little tails.
8. Rinse and drain the sprouted grains and store them in the refrigerator for a few days to a week.