Alfalfa Sprouting Seeds

Alfalfa Sprouting Seeds - The Versatile Sprout for Every Kitchen

The simple act of sprouting seeds is a quiet revolution in your kitchen, but it's also a connection to one of the most ancient and enduring stories in agriculture. When you cultivate Alfalfa sprouts, you participate in a tradition that stretches back nearly 5,000 years to its origins in Persia and the Middle East. Known to the ancient Arabs as the "father of all foods," this remarkable plant was so valued for its concentrated nutrition that it journeyed across continents with pioneers and armies. Roman soldiers carried it as a durable source of nutrition, and it arrived in China in the 2nd century BC. During the great age of sail, scurvy, a deadly disease caused by Vitamin C deficiency, was the scourge of long sea voyages. Captain James Cook, on his second voyage (1772-1775), famously ordered his sailors to consume citrus fruits and to continuously grow and eat sprouts. He credited this practice with virtually eliminating scurvy among his crew, demonstrating the excellent nutritional value of sprouted seeds.

Your Kitchen Counter Garden

The genius of sprouting is that it offers a garden-to-table experience that is accessible to everyone, no matter the season or the size of your garden. It is the ultimate solution for a guaranteed, effortless harvest during your garden's dormant season—whether that's the cold of a northern winter or the intense heat of a southern summer. Sprouts require no soil, no pampering with shade or mulch, and almost no space, yet they reward you with an abundant harvest of incredibly fresh food in just a matter of days. This is your source for unparalleled freshness, and more importantly, for the ultimate peace of mind that comes from knowing exactly how your food was grown.

Uses

The mild, clean flavor and delicate crunch of Alfalfa sprouts make them a wonderfully versatile ingredient for both raw and cooked dishes. You can layer them into sandwiches, burgers, and wraps for a fresh boost of texture, or toss them into salads and coleslaws. We also love using them in fresh spring rolls, where their crispness provides a perfect contrast to softer ingredients.

Try mixing them into a stir-fry at the last minute, blending them into smoothies for a nutritional punch, or floating them on top of soups. Alfalfa sprouts pair beautifully with herbs like mint and dill, creamy cheeses like goat and feta, and the fresh flavors of avocado, apples, and tomatoes.

To keep your harvested sprouts fresh, make sure they are dry and store them in a plastic bag or airtight container in the crisper drawer of your refrigerator. They will keep well for 2 to 4 days.

A Simple Guide to Sprouting Success

Growing your own delicious and safe alfalfa sprouts is a simple, rewarding process. Following a few key principles will ensure a successful harvest. The foundation of sprout safety is cleanliness. Always begin by washing your hands and your sprouting jar and screen with hot, soapy water.

• Seed Quantity: A little goes a long way, as alfalfa seeds expand dramatically. We recommend starting with just 1 to 2 tablespoons of dry seeds for each quart-sized jar to avoid overcrowding. Each package will yield 4-8 quart jars of fresh sprouts.
• Step 1: The Initial Soak. Begin by thoroughly rinsing your seeds. Place the seeds in your jar, cover them with several inches of cool water, and let them soak for 8 to 12 hours, or overnight.
• Step 2: Daily Rinsing. This is the heart of the process. After the initial soak, drain the water completely. For the next 4-5 days, you'll simply rinse the sprouts with cool water twice a day (morning and evening). Swirl them gently, and then drain them thoroughly. The key is to keep the jar inverted at an angle in a bowl, allowing excess water to drain away while permitting air to circulate.
• Step 3: Greening Up. Once your sprouts have grown to a few inches and their tiny first leaves have opened, it's time to "green them up." Simply move the jar to a spot with bright, indirect sunlight for about 6 to 12 hours. This will turn the pale leaves a lovely green and enhance their nutritional value.

Instructions are included on each package, and our “How to Grow Sprouts at Home” article walks you through the process as well. 

Nutrition

Alfalfa sprouts are renowned for being nutritional powerhouses, and for good reason. The process of sprouting unlocks and multiplies the nutrients stored in the seed, creating fresh, living food that is rich in vitamins, minerals, and beneficial plant compounds. 

Learn More

• How to Grow Sprouts at Home
• Homegrown Sprouts Safety

From the soil to the seed to the food you eat - we'll help you grow your best garden!