Mung Beans and Bean Sprouts
Planting Mung beans in the garden is often recommended, especially during the wet season as they love heat and humidity. This is a way of increasing nitrogen in the soil and when the plants are spent there is mulch already in place when planting other veges. The other wonderful part of mung bean seeds is that they are the most nutritious easy to grow bean sprouts. You don’t have to have a garden or soil or fertilizer all you need is a glass jar and fresh water.
Bean Plants
Bean Seeds
Bean Sprouts
Bean sprouts are considered by many to be very healthy veges, certainly they are the easiest and quickest to grow. They are high in protein and fibre and are a source of iron, they are also rich in antioxidants. They can also be added to just about any meal, ideal for salads and stir-fries, great in sandwiches and soups. You can grow a weeks supply on the kitchen bench in less than three days then keep them in the fridge for constant use for several days.
Growing Mung Beans in the garden
Buy a packet of beans from the dry good area of the supermarket. Rusty’s stock this 450gm pack for $2.00. These beans can be used both for sowing and sprouting. You can take a small handful and scatter them through the garden or sow them in lines with a space of 10 to 15cm and once they are grown a little other more delicate seeds or plants can be planted between the lines and the mung bean plants will protect them whilst they are small.
Growing Bean Sprouts in your kitchen
Start with 2 tablespoons of dry beans
Rinse your beans and then cover with water to soak overnight or for around 12 hours
After 12 hours the beans will have swollen, doubling in size
After 12 hours the beans will have swollen, doubling in size.
Rinse and leave them damp in the jar
Also, I have found that the stems grow longer if they are growing in the dark, therefore covering the jar with a bowl or dark cloth helps
Rinse the beans and just leave them damp in the jar. Cover the jar with a piece of cotton cloth or paper towel and an elastic band. I find it is important to leave the beans in their jar where I can see them otherwise they can be forgotten! Also, I have found that the stems grow longer if they are growing in the dark, therefore covering the jar with a bowl or dark cloth helps.
On day 2 rinse the beans morning and evening and again on day 3. By day 3 the jar will be almost full and if you are satisfied with the size the beans are ready to be added to your favourite dish or put the lid on the jar and leave it in the fridge to use whenever suits.