Re: first sprouting results ~ Questions from Barbara ~

[Guest guest]

Dear Ernest:

 

Good morning.

I am intrigued - your colander full of lentils in the tub - please share:

 

How much lentils per what size colander?

How dense should the layer be, and spacing recommendations?

Is the colander metal mesh, or the kind with holes? 

How long is the rinse?

How much water pressure is optimum for a good rinse?

Best water temp. for a good rinse?

There are many colors of lentils - does any one color or type produce better,

hardier, and tastier results for you?

Re: covering loosely with a cloth - cotton (or another fiber), and should it be

a dry cloth?

 

Lentils are one of my favorite foods. I look forward to your kind, learned

assistance.

 

Enjoy the beautiful Autumn day,

Barbara

From: Ernest Willingham <99tomatoes@...>

Subject: Re: first sprouting results

Date: Thursday, November 20, 2008, 10:29 PM

Here are some questions that will help us figure it out. What machine

are you using. Are you changing the water daily? Are you sure that they

molded and not that you're looking at little hair roots. Sprouts will

usually wilt before they mold. I've used FreshLife for three years now

and never had anything get moldy. Lentils don't need to be done in a

machine. I do mine in a colander in the bathtub. Soak the seed. Dump them

in a colander. Cover loosely with a cloth and rinse twice a day. Lentils

are ready the second day after you see roots. Usually day four.

ew

first sprouting results

Date: Fri, 21 Nov 2008 04:16:47 -0000

i started sprouting using the automatic sprouter.

first i did mung beans, but could not eat them because they were too

bitter. you people told me to eat it younger, and keep dark. thanks.

Then i did alfalfa, and it molded in the sprouter.

then i did amaranth, and it molded.

then i did sesame, and it may be ok, but does not look good.

then i did lentils, and so far they look ok, but how long until i eat

it?

maybe im doing something wrong.

thanks.

Sunshine makes the flowers dance.

Anon.

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[Guest guest]

Happy to be of assistance. Its a regular colander that you would find in

your kitchen. 10 inches across. Plastic. I picked it up at the 99 cent

store. It has small holes in it so that drains well but the seeds stay

in. It cannot be used for small seeds. Its great for beans, peas and

lentils. I soak about two heaping tablespoons of seed in a jar overnight.

next day, rinse and place in the colander. I have an old Tupperware bowl

that I ruined trying to pop popcorn in it. I sit the colander on top of

that so the seeds will drain. I cover it loosely with a dry white dish

towel and set in in the bathtub. The towel is to keep the seeds from

drying out too fast because of the wide openness of the large colander.

Plenty of light from the window above the bathtub. Twice each day, I take

the set up into the kitchen to rinse with filtered water from my water

purifier. The roots will grow out the bottom or the colander, but they

don't cling, so there is no damage when you harvest. At four days the

lentils are great as snacks, in salads or soups or just about anything.

Dry them well before you store, place in a closed container and they will

last up to a week in the fridge. Make a batch, if you feel that you can

sprout more that what I sprout, go for it. I sprout according to my needs

for just the two of us.

I never think about the temperature of the water coming out of the tap.

Of course, I don't use hot.

When sprouter use the word rinse, they are really saying: 'Wetting the

seeds'. Sort of like watering your garden. Don't let them get dry.

I've tried both red and green lentils and even bought some in the grocery

store. They all seem to be the same, except the seeds from the store had

a lot of broken seeds and didn't sprout as well as seeds from the

sprouting suppliers.

first sprouting results

Date: Fri, 21 Nov 2008 04:16:47 -0000

i started sprouting using the automatic sprouter.

first i did mung beans, but could not eat them because they were too

bitter. you people told me to eat it younger, and keep dark. thanks.

Then i did alfalfa, and it molded in the sprouter.

then i did amaranth, and it molded.

then i did sesame, and it may be ok, but does not look good.

then i did lentils, and so far they look ok, but how long until i eat

it?

maybe im doing something wrong.

thanks.

Sunshine makes the flowers dance.

Anon.

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[Guest guest]

Thank you, Earnest for the wonderfully helpful tips.  You are very kind.

Have a great Thanksgiving!  (Will sprouts be in your stuffing as well?)

Kind regards,  Barbara

From: Ernest Willingham <99tomatoes@gardener .com>

Subject: Re: first sprouting results

Date: Thursday, November 20, 2008, 10:29 PM

Here are some questions that will help us figure it out. What machine

are you using. Are you changing the water daily? Are you sure that

they

molded and not that you're looking at little hair roots. Sprouts will

usually wilt before they mold. I've used FreshLife for three years

now

and never had anything get moldy. Lentils don't need to be done in a

machine. I do mine in a colander in the bathtub. Soak the seed. Dump

them

in a colander. Cover loosely with a cloth and rinse twice a day.

Lentils

are ready the second day after you see roots. Usually day four.

ew

first sprouting results

Date: Fri, 21 Nov 2008 04:16:47 -0000

i started sprouting using the automatic sprouter.

first i did mung beans, but could not eat them because they were too

bitter. you people told me to eat it younger, and keep dark. thanks.

Then i did alfalfa, and it molded in the sprouter.

then i did amaranth, and it molded.

then i did sesame, and it may be ok, but does not look good.

then i did lentils, and so far they look ok, but how long until i eat

it?

maybe im doing something wrong.

thanks.

Sunshine makes the flowers dance.

Anon.

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