Green lentil sprouts have a sweet, nutty flavor.
As with all sprouted grains, lentil sprouts are high in nutritional value. Sprouted lentils are a good source of Vitamin B and Vitamin C, and have a wide range of amino acids. For pennies, you can germinate enough lentil sprouts to provide a nutritional snack or a delicious topping for a salad or sandwich. Add this to my Recipe Box.
Edible Vs. Inedible Lentils
Buying edible lentils is important. Seeds made for sowing are often coated with a chemical dressing that preserves and protects the seed in storage. Eating seed meant for sowing can cause a person to become sick and nauseous. Any lentil that is bought in a grocery store will be safe for human consumption. If you are buying the lentils online, take care to buy seeds that are made for consumption and not for planting.
Soak and Rinse
Soak your lentils for at least eight hours. The smaller the lentil, the shorter time it needs to be soaked to begin the sprouting process. After soaking the lentils, rinse them thoroughly in a colander with lukewarm water. Rinse the lentils with tap water roughly every 12 hours to prevent mold or bacteria from culturing in the nutrient-rich environment. Drain the lentils after each rinse; it is important that the lentils remain moist without sitting in standing water.
Temperature
The optimum temperature for sprouting lentils is between 70 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit. If it is too cold or too hot the lentils will not germinate. After the sprouts have reached the desired stage of growth, keep them in a sealed plastic bag in the refrigerator to halt the growth and preserve the sprouts for several days.
Space and Air
Lentils need air to breathe and space to grow. If you are going to store the sprouts in a jar or bag, make sure the seal is not airtight or the seed will not germinate. A lentil seed can sprout up to 30 times the original size of the seed. Before you sprout the seed, take into account how large you would like to sprout the seed and leave room for that growth.
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