How to sprout peas at home, benefits and harms, cooking recipes

The legume family is considered one of the very first species that humans began to cultivate. The benefits of beans, lentils and peas are undeniable; they are treated with love and honor in many cuisines around the world. They are consumed as food and in sprouted form. Moreover, such peas have completely different properties. And the fact that they were not subjected to heat treatment suggests that all the vitamins and nutrients are there unchanged, which is especially valuable for the body. Peas are easy to sprout at home; you can eat them raw, add them to salads, grind them into flour and bake bread and flatbreads. And all this will be tasty, healthy and nutritious.

Sprouted peas: benefits and harms

If peas collected from pods contain a lot of nutrients and vitamins important for the human body, then sprouted peas become a source of vital energy. Grains with sprouts should be consumed in order to:

cleanse the body of toxins;
rejuvenate skin cells;
restore intestinal microflora;
normalize blood sugar levels;
reduce the amount of cholesterol in blood vessels.

Use natural products to prevent the development of heart and vascular diseases. They help stop the development of anemia.

To benefit from eating grains, you need to sprout peas at home.

Benefits for children

Eating pea seeds with sprouts will only benefit a child’s body. Indeed, in a sprouted product the content of vitamins K, D, A, C and group B is much higher than in other vegetables and fruits. This allows you to accelerate the growth and development of the baby. The sprouts of legume seeds accumulate easily soluble substances that are well absorbed by the child's body. Thanks to such food, the child will be strengthened and will be able to resist flu and colds during the transition period from winter to spring. But children under 12 years of age should use the product only after consulting with a pediatrician.

Benefits of sprouted peas for raw foodists

Those who have switched to a raw food diet need food rich in proteins. For them, the benefits of pea sprouts are obvious. Legume seeds make it possible to obtain amino acids necessary for the body's cells. The enzymes in sprouted peas are easily absorbed by the body and make the intestines work correctly. And vital energy will increase several times when pea grains with sprouts are included in the diet.

The beneficial properties of sprouts are combined with the spicy and slightly sweet taste of the product. They quickly become saturated, and the body receives the necessary proteins and carbohydrates in sufficient quantities.

The advantage of using grains with sprouts is that it is easy to sprout peas at home, and you do not have to buy from unknown producers. And if you grow a vegetable on your own plot, the benefits of the product will only increase.

Benefits for men and women

For an adult, it is imperative to eat the sprouts of vegetable grains, because they will become sources of:

vitamins;
squirrel;
amino acids that are easily absorbed by the body;
potassium and calcium;
magnesium and phosphorus.

Harm to health, contraindications

The benefits that sprouted peas bring to the human body are obvious, but the harm from the product for some people can also be considerable. If there are problems with the large intestine, in which foci of inflammation have arisen, then you should not eat vegetable sprouts.

They are contraindicated in patients with:

acute form of gastritis;
nephritis;
gout and urolithiasis due to the large amount of purine compounds in sprouts;
stomach and duodenal ulcers.

A large amount of fiber causes discomfort in the digestive tract. Sprouts are poorly digested by older people and young children. Together with dairy products, peas cause excessive gas formation in the intestines. This is harmful to health, and the use of peas with sprouts should be limited or completely abandoned.

Norms and rules of use

Adding pea sprouts to the diet, the benefits and harms of which are separated by a thin line, should be done with caution. “More is not better”, in this case this principle also works.

Attention! Sprouted peas are eaten in limited quantities. At first, one teaspoon per day is enough, gradually the amount can be increased to 70 g, no more.

Consumption rates for sprouted peas:

Period of time	Daily consumption rate
First portion	1 tsp.
After 7 days of regular consumption	1 tbsp. l.
After 30 days	30 g
After 2-3 months	70 g

Calories and nutritional value

Live food made from sprouted products is useful, as it gives part of its energy to a person, replenishing reserves:

protein;
antioxidants;
pectin;
polysaccharides;
amino acids.

The sprouts accumulate a large number of water-soluble enzymes, which help fully absorb the nutrients from the juicy peas. Biopolymers split into parts with a low molecular weight composition.

Thanks to sprouts, the nutritional value of the vegetable product increases, which is not deposited as a burden, but is easily digested by the body.

The calorie content of a product with sprouts of 4-5 millimeters is 120-170 kcal per 100 grams. But this takes into account the fact that they were able to properly prepare it for germination. Then the body will receive up to 27 grams of carbohydrates and 9 grams of proteins. Just 100 grams of grains per day will replenish the supply of vitamins P and A by 15%.

Peas, plant description

This is an annual herbaceous plant, the genus of which is divided into seven species.

Characteristic features include:

Weak, curly shoots that often need support;
At the ends of the branches there are tendrils, due to which they are attached to supports and white flowers, which are subsequently transformed into pods;
It can reach from half a meter to one and a half meters in height;
The fruits are represented by small peas, which on average reach 0.5 cm. From five to ten peas can be collected in one pod;
The fruits contain a large amount of beneficial vitamins of groups A, B, C, macro- and microelements and sugars.

The large amount of nutrients that are part of its fruits make this legume representative healthy.

In particular, it has a beneficial effect on the functioning of the cardiovascular and digestive systems.

How to sprout peas for food: instructions

Peas must be discarded before germination. To do this, they are soaked in water, and those that float are removed. Both yellow and green products are suitable for nutrition.

First, soak it by filling it with water in a saucepan or bowl. Water should exceed the volume of peas by 1.5 times. After 10-12 hours, the water is drained and the peas are washed. Then the damp cloth is placed on a saucer and the prepared vegetable product is laid out on it. Cover the top with gauze or a cotton napkin soaked in water.

Germinating peas require warmth and constant moisture from the fabric. But it is not recommended to place the product in direct sunlight. A large amount of moisture will cause the peas to rot. If the conditions are suitable for the grains, then within a day whitish sprouts 1-3 millimeters long will appear. To be eaten, the height of the sprouts should reach 3-4 millimeters, then their value will increase.

Growing Patio Peas as a Houseplant

Patio peas are early ripening varieties. Quite compact and easy to care for, it will decorate any windowsill with lush greenery.

To grow you need:

Prepare the container in advance, fill it with light, fertile soil;
Place the seeds in a damp cloth or saucer with water for germination. The first roots can be observed within a day;
After the roots have formed, plant the seeds;
It is recommended to place the container on the southeast windowsill;
It is important not to forget about the need to systematically loosen the soil;
Water as the substrate dries.

Legumes do not require care and the only thing worth paying attention to is watering. Stagnation of water leads to rotting of the roots, which completely destroys the plant.

On how to grow Patio peas indoors, watch an interesting video:

Sprouted peas: uses for healthy food

If you have germinated pea seeds, then the main thing is to eat the sprouts correctly. There are several rules for using live food in the diet:

Sprouted peas are best served for breakfast. Start with a few pieces, increasing the amount gradually and bringing it to 80-100 grams. It is advised to take a break from using the product.
Grind peas in a blender, make casseroles, cook porridge, add them as a filling to pies.
There are many recipes for salads with sprouted vegetables. It is combined with cucumber, radish, tomato, onion, garlic, and vegetable oil.
A very tasty paste made from pea sprouts, zucchini, garlic, seasoned with sesame seeds, lemon juice and olive oil.
Juice is also prepared from pea sprouts.

You can come up with dishes with a living product yourself, then it will bring pleasure and benefit to the body.

Recipes with pea sprouts

Useful sprouts are used in preparing soups, salads, and added to muesli. Several options for dishes using sprouted peas:

Fitness salad. Mix diced feta cheese (50-70 g), radishes (5-6 root vegetables), cucumbers (3 medium-sized pieces), pea sprouts (60 g) in a salad bowl. For dressing, mix 50 ml of orange juice, 40 ml of olive oil, mustard (on the tip of a knife), one teaspoon of balsamic vinegar. Salt and add ground black pepper to taste. Season the salad and serve after half an hour.
Pea sprout puree. Throw a glass of sprouted peas and a head of chopped onion into boiling water. Cook for three minutes after boiling, then transfer the peas and onions to a blender. While whipping, add butter to taste. Add pea broth as needed. A tasty and healthy dish is ready. Served with fresh parsley and dill.
Hummus. In a blender, beat a glass of sprouted peas, a medium-sized zucchini fruit, 2-3 cloves of garlic, 30 g of olive oil, the same amount of lemon juice, 1 tsp. salt (preferably sea salt), 1 tablespoon sesame seeds and parsley.

Sprouted peas can be organically included in your usual menu without changing your gastronomic habits.

Sprouted peas for weight loss

The basis of losing weight is the process of removing excess fluid from the body, freeing the intestines from waste and toxins accumulated there. Therefore, overweight people need to start growing peas. And after germination, you can gradually include a healthy low-calorie product in the menu when there is no need for the planting procedure.

It will help you feel full quickly and will not give your body a lot of calories. And in order to provide yourself with living organic food, you need to find a use for delicious sprouts in cooking. A variety of pea dishes will help make the weight loss process enjoyable. But before you sprout peas for your diet, you should consult your doctor. If there are no contraindications, then sprouted legumes will become a favorite product for the whole family.

Growing at home

You can grow peas with equal success both in the garden beds and on the windowsill. In the latter case, it is necessary to select low-growing varieties that will not be difficult to care for. You will need to set up an improvised trellis along which this plant will climb, rising higher and higher, and on the side layers, literally a month and a half after the emergence of seedlings, pods with sweet peas will begin to form.

A prerequisite for growing peas at home will be the use of fertile soil, abundant and regular watering, sufficient lighting and proper seed preparation. By providing such simple care for your plantings, you can get fresh peas even in winter, and the plants can bear fruit constantly, supplying the whole family with tasty and healthy vegetables. You can easily set up a full-fledged garden bed on the windowsill, caring for which is not particularly difficult. On the Internet you can find thematic videos telling how to plant peas at home.

Reviews from gardeners

Olga

This year I tried to grow peas on a windowsill, and surprisingly, two bushes bore fruit well, and caring for such plants is not difficult. Before starting work in the garden, I read what conditions are needed for seed germination. I planted the early variety Vera, literally 45 days after the first seedlings appeared, I was able to collect ripe pods. Next year I plan to enlarge this improvised bed on the windowsill and plant about 10 plants.

Victor

My wife and I are experienced gardeners; we have been growing various plants and fruits in our garden for more than 20 years, so we know very well what is needed for seed germination. This year we started planting the Alpha variety. This is the best early ripening variety that bears fruit well and has excellent taste. Plant care is standard: they require watering, fertilizing and staking the vines on trellises. We planted about 10 bushes, the harvest was enough for us and the children.

Maria

For us, a dacha is more of an opportunity to relax than to grow various vegetables and fruits here. Therefore, if we plant something in the garden, then at a minimum. This year I planted about a dozen plants near the fence, pre-soaked and germinated the seeds. I had to study what conditions are necessary for seed germination. This is an easy-to-care crop that allows you to get an excellent harvest. I used to grow sweet varieties, but now I tried the shelling varieties. There are no differences in care, but the taste of ripe peas is significantly different.

Dmitry Igorevich

At my dacha I have dozens of varieties of peas. Caring for such plantings is not difficult, you just need to know how to germinate peas. The gardener will be able to grow sweet and tender peas, as well as shelling varieties, which are denser and intended for making soups and canning. I can recommend this crop to all novice summer residents and gardeners, even with minimal care, you can get a wonderful harvest on your personal plot.

Selection of pea microgreen seeds

As our “Papa of CIS Microgreens” says, “It all starts with a seed.” 100% success in germinating peas for greens is high-quality seeds. Therefore, special attention should be paid to the selection of seeds. We need to find seeds that are not infected with harmful late blight. You also need strong grains with a high degree of germination, preferably at least 95%.

95% germination means that out of 100 seeds sown, 95 seeds will germinate and only 5 seeds will not sprout.

Seeds with a low percentage of germination are unsuitable for germination for microgreens. Since during germination, seeds that do not germinate will sour over time. They will become moldy, thereby infecting healthy seeds with spores and ruining all our plantings.

Selecting seeds for pea microgreens

There are two main ways to purchase seeds for growing green peas:

Buy in a store (online store) from sellers specializing in seeds and products for growing microgreens and sprouts.
Buy at the agricultural market, where they sell fodder seeds and animal feed

Each method has both pros and cons. Buying seeds in an online store is the easiest way. At the moment, there are about a dozen companies on the microgreens seed market that sell high-quality seeds. By purchasing seeds from trusted sellers, we receive a guarantee that the seeds will have a high germination rate. In addition, sellers do not want to lose their reputation. If they sold you bad seeds, they will replace them with good ones.

Accordingly, we receive high-quality seeds with a guarantee after spending a small amount of time searching for them. This method has a main disadvantage - the price. There is nothing you can do, but you have to pay for quality and warranty. And in some cases the price will be increased two, three, or even five times.

Buying at the agricultural market is not an easy task. You will have to travel to more than one market to find quality seeds. In markets they sell seeds for animal feed. Often such seeds have a poor germination rate and are contaminated with harmful late blight. However, if you manage to find good seed material, then you will be able to buy seeds at a very tasty (cheap) price.

If you don’t want to look for quality seeds, then we buy them at an inflated price from trusted suppliers. If you have time and a desire to save a lot, look for it yourself at the agricultural markets of your city.

Preparations for soaking peas

At the pre-soaking stage, so that the peas swell, they are placed in ordinary warm water. At the same time, a growth stimulator is sometimes added to it.

The following substances can be used as a growth stimulator:

potassium humate;
drug Kornevin;
drug Radifarm;
various phytohormones.

At the soaking stage during germination, you can use biologically active solutions, which include the following components:

pharmaceutical chamomile;
Oak bark;
fermented mullein solution;
aloe juice;
infusion of wood ash on water;
nitrogen-fixing inoculant.

Important! The use of any mineral fertilizers as preparations for soaking at this stage is unacceptable. Even in low concentrations they can cause burns to plant embryos.

Why is it useful?

Has a diuretic effect. Prevents swelling. Removes toxins from the body.
Improves brain activity, information processing and concentration.
Helps strengthen blood vessels. Minimizes the risk of thrombosis and diseases of the hematopoietic system.
Helps eliminate anemia.
Establishes the proper functioning of the urinary system.
Regulates metabolism and water-salt balance.
Neutralizes toxic compounds, heavy metal salts.
Increases potency and has a beneficial effect on the health of the male reproductive organs.
Natural immunomodulating agent.
Contains a large amount of antioxidants.
It has been proven that regular consumption prevents the development of pathogenic microorganisms.
Prevents the appearance of malignant neoplasms.