Simple Steps for Growing Broccoli Sprouts

In my new book, Drop Acid, I describe in detail how powerfully effective a compound called sulforaphane is in terms of supporting health. And many have spoken about how broccoli sprouts are rich in sulforaphane. But if you want to get right down to it, broccoli sprouts don’t actually provide sulforaphane. What they do contain is sulforaphane’s precursor called glucoraphinin. And when broccoli sprouts are chewed or otherwise macerated, an enzyme (myrosinase) is released that goes on to convert glucoraphinin into sulforaphane. Now, this might sound like a trivial technicality but it actually has a bearing in terms of how we can really get the most out of our broccoli sprouts. Basically, unless they are chewed or otherwise disrupted, like being put in a blender, they are not going to be as healthful as they could be. 

Broccoli sprouts are available at many health food stores, along with various other sprouts. But they are really quite simple to grow at home. And you can easily find organic broccoli seeds online.

Aside from the seeds, here’s what’s needed:

• Mason jar, wide-mouth with lid
• Wide-mouth sprouting jar with mesh lid

Again, these are easily found online and may well be at your local health food store.

1. Soak the seeds overnight in water. 
2. Add two tablespoons of the rinsed seeds to the Mason jar.
3. Fill the jar halfway with water and cover with the mesh lid.
4. After about 8 hours remove the water.
5. Turn the jar upside down in a clean container in a dark cabinet.
6. In about a day, the seeds will being sprouting.
7. At this point, rinse the sprouted seeds twice a day by putting water in the jar and then emptying it out through the mesh lid.
8. After each rinse, return the jar, mesh side down, to the dark cabinet.
9. By day 4 or 5, the sprouts will have filled the jar. They can be placed in the sun for a few hours each day as this will allow them to make chlorophyll.
10. Sprouts may be refrigerated, but only if they are dry.
11. Sprouts can be refrigerated for another 2-3 days, but after that it’s best to discard them.

There are a multitude of sprouting videos on YouTube, and again, this is really straightforward. 

Enjoy your sprouts!!

(And for more on the benefits of broccoli sprouts, check out this video I previously shared about them!)