A healthy addition to any meal, mun bean sprout are a common ingredient in Asian stir fries.If you want to save money, you can sprout them at home in as little as 2 days.After soaking your beans overnight, rinse and drain them until they reach your desired length.
Step 1: Purchase whole beans.
Do not use beans in packets that have been treated.You should check the label to make sure the beans you buy are made for eating and sprouting.Mung beans can be found at health food stores and online catalogues.
Step 2: Measure out the amount of beans you want.
The beans should fill about 14 of the container if you plan to soak them in a bowl or jar.Mung beans get bigger as they grow, so be careful not to use too much.If you use 1 pound of seeds, you will end up with 2 pounds of sprout.
Step 3: You can rinse your beans with a strainer.
Run clean water over the beans.Most of the mung beans grown in China are left to dry on gravel roads.This will help protect you from harmful elements in the soil.It will wash away things that may have entered the dried beans.
Step 4: The beans should be placed in a jar.
You can reuse jars that held peanut butter or pasta sauce if you choose to do so.The beans should fill a quarter of the container.
Step 5: Put the beans in the jar with a mesh lid.
The jar partway needs to be filled with at least 2 times the volume of beans.You should cover your jar with a lid.You can make a homemade option by securing a piece of cheesecloth with a rubber band.You can punch holes into the metal or glass lid.A pre-made strainer lid is included in the price of the specialized jar.You can soak your beans in a bowl or jar if you don't have a mesh lid.
Step 6: If you want the beans to swell up, soak them for 12 hours.
The amount of time they have to soak depends on the beans.Larger beans need a longer soak.Make sure the jar is not in direct sunlight when placed on the countertop or in a cabinet.The beans should not be in the fridge.
Step 7: The beans must be drained and washed through the mesh lid.
Turn the jar over in the sink to get rid of the excess water.After draining the beans, rinse them with fresh water.You can use a strainer against the opening of your jar if you don't have a mesh lid.
Step 8: For 12 hours, put the jar in a dark place.
The beans will not be disturbed in a place that gets little to no sunlight.The jar should be placed upside down on a dish rack or cooling rack to release the water.There is no need for the storage location to be completely dark because the beans should not be exposed to sunlight.A shadowy corner of the countertop would work well.
Step 9: For a few days, repeat this process every 12 hours.
Once a day, rinse and drain the beans through the mesh lid.After each rinse session, return them to their dark storage spot.The beans should grow in size and have white tails.
Step 10: The sprouts should be washed once they reach your desired length.
Give the sprouted beans one last rinse before draining them.Mung beans taste good when they are about 2 in (1.3 cm) long, but it is mostly a matter of personal preference.The shells of the white bean may be coming off at this point.If you like, you can remove some of the empty shells with your hands.
Step 11: Spread the sprouted beans across the baking sheet.
Pour the beans on top of the baking sheet with two layers of dry paper towels.Spread them out in a thin layer with your hand and press to absorb any excess water.They are ready to be stored after being patted dry.Pick out the unsprouted beans and throw them away.To dry the beans even more thoroughly, cover them with another paper towel and press gently.
Step 12: Store the sprout in the fridge for up to two weeks.
Line the bowl with paper towels, then use your hands to transfer some of the sprout into the container.You can eat the sprout within 2 weeks.Mung bean sprout are a great base for a salad or stir-fry.