Fill up you jar with a myriad of nutrients! (Biosnacky Germinator Jar)

Member Name: theabster

Product:	Biosnacky Germinator Jar
Date:	26/09/09 (92 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Clean, dishwasher safe, simple design, easy to use, good way to eat healthily

Disadvantages: Sprouts can go a bit off in the jar if you don't rinse enough, small size, unconventional food!

So imagine you have a packet of lentils or dried beans in your cupboard and you are not quite sure what to do with them. Maybe you'll make soup, or add them to a stew. But have you ever tried sprouting them? When you hear the word 'sprout', you probably are thinking either of "bean sprouts" that you'd buy for a stir fry, or brussel sprouts, which need no explanation! Those "bean sprouts" you'd buy are just one form of 'sprout' that you can actually grow in your own home, producing a cheap and really nutritious foodstuff. Unlike cress, (basically sprouted mustard cress seeds) which you might also be quite familiar with, many sprouts can be more bulky and substantial so you will feel like you are getting better value for money.

Method
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Since the germination of most seeds and beans requires moisture, warmth and some indirect sun, a clear jar and attached sieve is an good device to allow easy rinsing and the provision of the kind of conditions listed that help growth. The general method for sprouting varies according to the seed, bean or grain you are used. Just to give some examples, you can sprout any of the following: adzuki bean, chickpeas, flax, quinoa, green lentils, soya beans, sesame seeds, hemp seeds, alfalfa and barley. You can sprout most kinds of beans, seeds and pulses but with some exceptions such as kidney beans, which are highly toxic unless cooked thoroughly. You can look up a table online or use the instruction leaflet that comes with the jar, to explain the various soaking times of grains, beans and seeds before sprouting. It is really important so you don't become ill or get really bad indigestion! You basically put a couple of tablepsoons to soak, or with a seed just rinse, and then pour the water out through the sieve on the lid of the jar. You then rinse and shake about a bit a couple of times a day, for probably four or five days until they sprout. Once you see shoots that are maybe a few cms long, you can rinse thoroughly and store in the fridge. The jar is then free to use again and the sprouts will store for up to four or five days in the fridge, but be sure to rinse before eating!

The Jar
The device consists of a glass jar and a green plastic lid that screws on top and has a tapering edge to one side. It is quite aesthetical, because it is simple and looks quite traditional. Bearing in mind you could do you own version with a large glass jar and a piece of muslin, this is a more durable alternative that still adheres sympathetically to a traditional design.

How efficient is the jar? There are a number of methods through which you can sprout from this Biosnacky Germinator Jar, to a larger germinator that is also under the Biosnacky brand. I find the smallness of the Biosnacky germinator a flaw in one way because if you get used to making sprouts a lot, it is quite a slow process waiting for the small quantity to sprout. You sometimes wish you had many jars! You can also buy large tiered bamboo framed sprouters and automatic sprouters such as the EasyGreen, which offers automatic cleaning, rinsing, oxidation, misting and temperature control. There is obviously then a huge range in price as well as the technological aspects. This jar is the simplest way- and the cheapest. It sells for £4.99 both online and in various health food shops. Other sprouters like the tiered ones can be bought from £15-£30 and upwards! Especially if you are making sprouts for the first time it is a good place to start, because the small quantity can be sensible so that you don't produce too many that go off too quickly. You have to be careful with this device that you rinse and shake many times a day otherwise a nasty gooey gunge begins to build up, like if you had stored veggies too long.

Nutrition

They are so nutritious! A sprout contains all of the energy, vitamins and nutrients that become available to a plant to be transformed from a seed to a fully grown plant. So they are like little dense balls of nutrients. When you sprout them, their nutritional value available to your body can increase up to 300% on their original form and due to their size you can end up eating hundreds of sprouted seeds and you end up eating an awful lot of goodness without much effort! They can be rich in protein, vitamin C, E, antioxidants and other vitamins and trace minerals. The abundant enzymes also makes them easy to digest.

Taste

When I use my Biosnacky germinator jar, I like to soak alfalfa and chick peas most. They produce some of the most flavoursome sprouts. I like to add them to sandwiches as a really different filling that will definitely get people wondering what you are eating! I also like them in salads tossed in a rich olive oil and mustard dressing with other vegetables I have to hand. Eating lots of raw foods and vegetables are really important, so it is nice to find different ways to help you include them in your diet. Some can be quite peppery, like cress, and some more nutty or 'leafy' tasting. I know they don't sound very appetising, but they can be really delicious if you treat them as you might another salad vegetable with simple and delicious dressings and seasonings to bring out their natural flavours.

Overall

This is a great product that is cheaper than other sprouters on the market and more value for money unless you are really keen. It is hygienic and can be washed in the dishwasher, and www.avogel.co.uk, the website of the company who make the product, contains a full catalogue of seeds and the sprouters that you can order to get started. The only problem I have with the product is that whilst you are sprouting they can go a bit yucky sometimes if you are too infrequent rinsing, but that is really a problem with my own commitment rather than the jar's effectiveness! Though if I had lots of money I would definitely invest in a self-watering device so that I could enjoy these sprouts more easily and more frequently!

Summary: Not just rabbit food, really yummy!