Here is a list of most of our sprouting seeds, with some comments on use and characteristics. We'll try to keep this up to date, but some items may be out of stock. If you want to buy seeds, try our web stores to the right
The traditional sprout of salad bars. We think that our organically grown seed produces a tastier sprout than regular commercial seed.
Research:
Alfalfa sprouts have a high antioxidant capacity.
Alfalfa and clover are high in phytoestrogens that may help against menopausal symptoms, osteoporosis, cancer, and heart disease.
Can be grown as short sprouts for 2 or 3 days. Crunchy.
Arugula (Roquette)- Nice tangy cuttings on paper towels or baby blankets or trays. It can also be used as a part of a mix, at 10% or less. Member of the brassica family. Contains the cancer fighting compounds of broccoli.
Broccoli- These sprouts were recently found to contain many times the cancer fighting compounds of broccoli as a vegetable. It has been difficult to get organically grown seed, but it's now available. Delicious mild sprouts.
- New broccoli sprout study shows benefits carry into the offspring's adulthood. Eating broccoli sprouts during pregnancy may provide your kids with life-long protection against cardiovascular disease, according to a research team led by Bernhard Juurlink at the University of Saskatchewan.
- Broccoli packs a powerful punch to bladder cancer cells, according to new information from Ohio State University.
- Broccoli may bolster the body's defences against heart disease and stroke.
- The original press release on broccoli sprouts and cancer prevention.
- Now cholesterol too? A study from Japan shows that 1 cup of broccoli sprouts a day for 1 week lowers bad cholesterol, increases good.
- Broccoli sprouts may be useful to protect retina? A study shows protection of retina in mice. Very technical.
- Broccoli sprouts may soothe airway inflammation. See this study.
Similar sprouts to broccoli, but a fresh cressy taste. We don't know how much of the broccoli cancer-fighting agents are in this sprout.
Grow on paper towels or baby blanket or trays for cuttings. It has a mild lettuce like flavour. Our buckwheat has the hull on to keep it healthy for sprouting, so it doesn't work for cooking. It can be milled into dark buckwheat flour without removing the hull.
NOTE: New information as of Aug 20, 04- There is some information indicating that buckwheat shoots in large quantities may cause a reversible photosensitization that includes uncomfortable symptoms. We are currently recommending moderate consumption of buckwheat shoots, and complete avoidance if any light sensitivity occurs. A short article by Gilles Arbour, discoverer of this problem, is available at http://www.gillesarbour.com/buckwheat.php. There you will also find a link to further very detailed information.
Red Cabbage-These sprouts have the same cancer fighting properties as broccoli. Our cabbage is a red (purple actually) variety that grows very attractive sprouts.
Canola- Mild and tasty sprouts, good by themselves or in a mix. A member of the brassica family. Organic canola may not be available for much longer, as canola grown here on the prairies is almost sure to be contaminated with GMOs in the future. We are looking for another source for organic canola seed, because we hate to let a good sprout go and we also hate to have to abandon canola just because biotech companies have irresponsibly contaminated this farming area. See more details in our FAQs.
Cress- Best grown as shoots or cuttings on paper towels or baby blanket. Tangy, peppery greens should be about 3" or 4" high.
Grows large vigorous sprouts with an unusual flavour. Fenugreek is a traditional herb for colds and flu. The seed can be sued to make a pleasant tea. Fenugreek is also grown as a potherb, for East Indian cooking.
Flax is mostly used for baking, or grinding for addition to raw foods, but can be sprouted. The sprouts are somewhat bitter and the seeds tend to stick together, so they take special care. Cress sprouting methods work OK.
Chickpeas can be grown as short sprouts. A delicious hummus can be made from sprouted chickpeas.
Allium tuberosum- Seed from the garlic chive plant. Sprouts have a lovely fresh garlic taste. The seeds can be grown like alfalfa but take 9 to 11 days for maximum size and flavour.
These are new varieties that grow without the hulls. Sprout 1/4 to 1/2 inch long and chop or grind to use in baking. They will also grow oat grass or barley grass, and they can be milled to make organic flour. Barley can be used as pot barley, and oats can be cooked as a rice substitute.
Barley with hulls on -for barley grass growing only.Kale- Our pink kale should have the same benefits as broccoli sprouts and cabbage sprouts. These beautiful sprouts resemble red cabbage sprouts.
Large, buttery-tasting kernels, good for flour, cooking whole, short sprouts, or grass crops.
Lentils can be sprouted or used for cooking. We have 5 types of lentils:
French Green- Attractive small green lentils speckled with dark green. Make nice short sprouts and cook well. The French name is Lentilles du Puy.
Large Green- About 1/2 cm in diameter and light green in colour.
Small Black- Tiny black lentils, nice taste. The Hindi name is Kali Urud.
Small Green- Same colour as the large green, but tiny delicate sprouts. Cooks more quickly than the large green.
Crimson Lentil- They have a beautiful salmon colour when sprouted, after seed coats come off. The Hindi name for these lentils is Masoor.
We have a stock of millet for growing millet grass. This millet has the hulls on so it's not good for cooking or for short sprouts. It can be sprouted and added to breads, where the hull fibre isn't objectionable.
Ancient Eastern Blend- Contains Fenugreek, Lentils, Kamut, and Adzuki Beans.
Broccoli Brassica Blend- Contains Broccoli, Broccoli Raab, Canola, Radish, Mustard, and Arugula. A healthy and crisp addition to sandwiches and salads.
Crunchy Bean Mix- A crunchy mix of Peas (2 types), Lentils (2 types), and Garbanzos. Best short, at two or three days.
Sandwich Booster- A mix of Clover, Alfalfa, Radish, and Canola.
Spicy Lentil Crunch- A delicious blend of tiny lentils, alfalfa, red clover, radish, canola, and a trace of black mustard. Mildly spicy.
Super Spicy Lentil Crunch- A bit more bite.
Spring Salad- A mix of equal parts of Broccoli, Radish, Red Clover, and Alfalfa. This like like the mix that the new research from the University of Ulster indicates will reduce DNA damage and may reduce cancer.
Grow the traditional bean sprout used in Asian cooking. Sprout in complete darkness or they will have a bitter flavour. Rinse as often as possible and harvest at about 1.5 to 2 inches long.
Careful, it's hot! Use with discretion in sprouting mixes, or sprout on its own for adventuresome eating. Mustard sprouts taste great anywhere you'd use hot mustard.
Brown Mustard- Hot!
Oriental Mustard- Hotter!!
Somewhat expensive, but really adds flavour to a mix. Usually best to start the onions a few days ahead of the other seeds in the mix, as they are slow to sprout. Leek is very similar.
Peas can be sprouted or used for cooking. Light sautéing or steaming of pea sprouts improves the nutritional value. Many peas will also grow a delicious pea shoot. See our directions for easy soilless growing of pea shoots.
A study has found that sprouting peas for 2- 4 days found to increase bioavailability of Zn and Mg.
Green Peas- A medium green pea used for shoots, cooking and short sprouts. The shoots are thick and leafy. NOTE- current green pea stocks are better for short sprouts than for shoots.
Marrowfat Peas- Large, yellow peas that grow a great 3-day sprout with a fresh pea taste. They are also good as a soup pea.
Speckled Peas- Great for shoots. Grow 6 to 10 days in trays. Cut about 4" or 6" high, while still tender. They can also be grown as short sprouts.
Dwarf Grey Sugar Peas- These are used mainly to grow leafy shoots, either on paper towels or baby blanket or hydroponically. Harvest the sweet tender shoots 3" or 4" tall.
Can be sprouted (or cooked like rice after thorough rinsing to remove saponin coating). Most people prefer the sprouts very young, about 2 days old.
Beige (out of stock, long term)- Canadian grown, saponin coating needs to be rinsed off if cooked; some people still find it objectionable.
White- Peruvian, very little saponin. Needs only light rinsing before cooking.
Red- Bolivian, very little saponin. Needs only light rinsing before cooking.
Makes tangy radish flavoured sprouts, great in sandwiches and salads.
China Rose- sprouts have a beautiful pink tinge (see photo above-right side). A little hotter than Daikon.
Daikon- green and white sprouts with a mild radish tang.
Red Daikon- very hot and beautiful burgundy colour (see photo above-left side). Expensive.
Similar to alfalfa sprouts, but glossy light-green leaves and a mild-sweet flavour.
RESEARCH- Alfalfa and clover are high in phytoestrogens that may help against menopausal symptoms, osteoporosis, cancer, and heart disease.
Grow delicious sunflower flavoured shoots. You may remove the roots before eating. They take longer than most sprouts, 6 to 10 days. See our easy hydroponic sprouting directions.
Can be used for short sprouts or grass crops. Both are good for flour.
Different types have different uses. See our hydroponic wheatgrass growing instructions.
Hard Red Spring Wheat- Wheatgrass, Essene bread, or milling. The best wheat for bread flour and for sprouted wheat bread. Its high protein gives better bread texture. Our current spring wheat stock is at least as good as winter wheat for wheatgrass.
Winter Wheat- Good for short sprouts and wheatgrass. Can be sprouted until 1/4 to 1/2 inch long, then ground or chopped and used in baking. It can also grows great wheatgrass in soil and juiced, or chopped for use.
© Jim Mumm 2010- 2019