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Alfalfa sprouts how to grow


How to Grow Alfalfa Sprouts at Home

Alfalfa, Medicago sativa, is an open-pollinated heirloom legume also known as “lucerne.”

It’s an impressive cover and forage crop, but it’s important to remember that the fall-planted alfalfa that nurtures your soil or provides mulch for the veggie garden is nothing you’d want to eat.

Once stalks start to form, it’s far too bitter for the human palate.

M. sativa sprouts, which are newly germinated seeds, and microgreens, which are the tiny stems and cotyledon leaves (without the roots or seed coats), are an entirely different story.

Both can be grown indoors in a matter of days or weeks, and they make a tasty addition to the salad bowl. They’re also delicious as sandwich or pizza toppers.

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Best of all, they’re easy to grow at any time of year, so they’re perfect whether you want greens in a hurry or are starved for something homegrown in the cold months.

You can start a batch this afternoon and have sprouts in a few days, or microgreens in a few weeks. Find all the directions you need here.

Here’s what I’ll cover:

What You’ll Learn

Alfalfa Sprout Food Safety

You may have read the many cautions about alfalfa sprouts carrying salmonella bacteria, and the CDC has indeed advised that all alfalfa sprouts be cooked before consuming or avoided altogether to eliminate all risk of salmonella poisoning.

According to Clemson University Food Systems and Safety Program Team Leader Kimberly A. Baker, a registered dietitian, while growing sprouts at home doesn’t necessarily make them any safer than the ones produced commercially, you can minimize the risk of microorganisms that cause illness making their way into your sprouts.

To begin with, purchase the seeds from a reliable commercial source, where they’ve been tested already for the presence of microorganisms.

Make sure any tools you use for cultivating sprouts are clean, along with any surfaces they’ll come into contact with, like sinks or counters. Wash your hands before touching the seeds, sprouts, containers, or water they’re growing in.

Also make sure to refrigerate the harvested sprouts at 40°F or below, whether you grow them yourself or buy them at a store. And don’t eat any that are limp, smell funky, or look slimy. They may make you sick!

A Note of Caution:

Alfalfa seeds for farm and forage crops, or those used to grow cover crops, typically have a fungicide coating that makes them unsuitable to grow for consumption.

Be sure to avoid purchasing or using cover crop seeds for growing your own microgreens or sprouts for humans to eat.

Since the sprouts often retain the seed coating, you’d be consuming low levels of potentially toxic fungicides along with them.

While you probably wouldn’t have an acute reaction the first time you eat a tiny bit of fungicide, it might irritate your stomach or cause other symptoms of poisoning over time.

Instead, start with seeds that specify they’re to be used for sprouting.

How to Sprout

For beginners, I heartily recommend starting your first batch of sprouts in a clean, wide-mouth pint- or quart-size mason jar with a sprouting lid made of durable plastic or stainless steel.

The lid should have mesh holes that are big enough so that water can drain readily, but not so large that the tiny alfalfa seeds will fall through when you rinse.

You can also use a double layer of cheesecloth fastened over the top with a loop of sisal kitchen twine.

But if you find you like growing your own sprouts and want to do it regularly, you’ll probably want a more permanent, reusable sprouting lid to use rather than cheesecloth.

Make sure any lids you purchase are both food grade and dishwasher safe, to keep your tools clean and safe, and that they’ll fit a wide-mouth mason jar.

Also, steer clear of the sprouting bags that are designed for much larger seeds like mung beans, and make sure any lids have mesh openings that are narrow enough to keep the alfalfa seeds inside.

Plastic Sprouting Lid

A sprouting lid made of food-grade plastic is available inexpensively from True Leaf Market, and the company also carries a stainless steel type that curves at the top to provide maximum ventilation.

Stainless Steel Wide Mouth Sprouting Lid

You’ll have a batch of sandwich toppers ready in a matter of days, just by adding one and a half tablespoons of seeds to the bottom of a quart-size jar, screwing on the lid (or fastening the cheesecloth to the top), and soaking, rinsing, and draining the seeds a few times.

For alfalfa seeds, you’ll want to rinse them in the jar with the lid on, drain the rinse water, and then refill it to about three times the depth of the seed layer, put it in a dark place, and let the seeds soak for about eight hours or overnight.

After that, follow the instructions outlined in the Sprouting 101 compendium on our sister site, Foodal.

As you gain experience, you may want to start sprouting other types of seeds, or mixes that contain alfalfa.

You may also want to invest in more extensive kits, or grow lights and heat pads. Before you consider the many ways to grow pounds of the stuff each week, though, try a more manageable project to start.

Instructions for growing the microgreen version are coming right up.

Grow Alfalfa Microgreens

While many chefs and cafes use alfalfa microgreens in elaborate salads or sandwiches, the process for growing them is quite simple.

You’ll be harvesting the greens with scissors above the soil line, versus eating the whole sprout.

All you need is a shallow plastic tray filled with half an inch of soilless growing medium that you’ve moistened ahead of time.

Never use plain garden soil or any mix that includes compost or dirt to grow microgreens, because that will increase the risk of soilborne diseases.

Instead, opt for a commercially prepared soilless mix that is lightweight.

The best types will contain peat moss or coconut coir to retain moisture, as well as vermiculite, sand, or perlite to keep the mix light enough to drain easily and provide aeration.

One good choice is Mother Earth Coco Plus Perlite Mix, which is 70 percent coconut coir and 30 percent perlite. It’s available in 50-liter bags from Mother Earth via Amazon.

Mother Earth Coco Plus Perlite Mix

Spread the seeds on top of the soilless mix, using about a teaspoon of seeds for a three-by-six-inch tray, and press them into the mix using your fingertips.

Spritz water on top using a spray bottle, and then cover the tray with clear plastic wrap. Poke a couple of holes in the plastic for ventilation.

Place the tray in a warm spot, ideally between 65 and 75°F.

Keep the soil moistened until the seeds sprout, which may take only a couple of days, but could take as long as five days if the temperature is a bit cooler than 65°F.

After germination occurs, take off the plastic and place the container where it will get at least four hours of sun each day.

Be sure to rotate the container every couple of days so different sections of the sprouts will receive the most light.

Once the seedlings have reached a few inches tall, which takes another couple of weeks, you can harvest by snipping them off at the soil line.

You can also opt for Micro Mats made of sustainably harvested wood, placing them in trays to grow the microgreens hydroponically.

Micro Mats

Packs of 10, 25, 50, or 100 two-by-three-inch Micro Mats are available from True Leaf Market.

The only change to the process compared with growing in a soilless mix is the added step of soaking the mats ahead of time in the tray, allowing them to absorb water for an hour or so.

You then gently tilt the tray to drain the excess water, and spread the seeds over the hydrated mat instead of pressing them lightly into the soilless mix.

Some hydroponic mats are made of jute, which needs to be soaked overnight and rinsed twice afterwards to remove most of its distinctly motor oil-like scent.

These mats are then used in trays the same way you’d employ the Micro Mat versions.

Microgreen Hydroponic Grow Pads

GreenEase 10-by-10-inch Jute Microgreen Hydroponic Grow Pads are available in 10-packs via Amazon.

Where to Buy Seeds

All this advice is nothing without seeds, right?

Here is where I caution you one more time about the alfalfa seeds grown as a cover crop that are coated with fungicide – avoid these.

They may also be inoculated with rhizobium bacteria that jump-starts their ability to fix nitrogen in the soil, and you don’t want to eat this either.

For sprouting, you typically eat the hulls, so it’s important to avoid seeds that are pretreated in any way. (Even if you rub the hulls off at harvest, a few will stick around.)

Farm or cover crop seeds should include a warning on the package that they’re not to be used as food or feed, but you should still double check that you didn’t mistakenly buy treated seed.

Happily, there are readily available seeds for sprouting that haven’t been treated. Here are a few options:

Botanical Interests offers organic M. sativa seeds specifically for sprouting in 30-gram packets.

M. sativa Seeds

This company also sells the seeds as part of a mix with red clover, which is also a legume, as well as broccoli, kale, and burgundy amaranth.

All are germinated together, taking five to seven days to harvest.

Salad Mix Sprouts Seeds

The brassicas add complementary flavors and the amaranth contributes a splash of red color. This mix is available from Botanical Interests in 30-gram packets as well.

Zesty Collection

Burpee has one-ounce packets of alfalfa available as part of its “Zesty” collection of seeds for sprouting.

The mix also includes broccoli, radish, and curly cress seed packets that each weigh an ounce.

Organic Alfalfa Seeds

True Leaf Market sells organic versions in sizes that start at four ounces, and range up to 35-pound buckets for true sprout devotees.

Sprouting Health Mix

Alfalfa is also included in their four-ounce sacks of Sprouting Health Mix, along with broccoli, radish, and clover to deliver a blast of antioxidants, sulforaphane, amino acids, and plant-based protein.

Microgreen Seeds

Alfalfa microgreen seeds are also available from Urban Leaf in 15-milligram packages.

Microgreens Growing Kit

They say this is enough for three harvests, using their Microgreens Growing Kit with jute mats.

Recipes and Cooking Ideas

Once you produce your first batch of sprouts, eat them quickly! They will technically last in the fridge for up to six weeks, but only if you dry them well using a salad spinner or by letting them drain on a clean tea towel.

Still, the rule of thumb is this: “The fresher, the better.” Older sprouts tend to lose their delicate flavor and crispy texture.

And that would be a shame, since there are so many ways to enjoy them. You can add them to salads, use them to garnish savory cream soups, put them on burgers in lieu of lettuce, tuck a few into a cheddar cheese omelette, or snip a few to sprinkle on pizza after it comes out of the oven.

You may want to toss a handful into your favorite stir fry, too, but be certain to do this in the last minute of cooking. And consider them as a flavor accent, not a stir fry base.

Unlike bean sprouts, which are bland and have a high water content, alfalfa doesn’t always meld well with all vegetables or spices in the wok.

For inspiration, try this leafy sprouts salad with sorghum chili vinaigrette recipe from Foodal first.

Then use your sprouts in place of both the microgreens and lettuce featured in Foodal’s toasted sandwich recipe.

For maximum enjoyment of the microgreens, keep in mind that the flavor is a bit more intense since they’re more mature than sprouts.

Use fewer of them to top pizza, or in salad recipes like this one from Foodal for a Sunday salad with einkorn and honey-lemon dressing.

That extra bite also adds zip to savory stews, soups, and stir fries.

But alfalfa loses its flavor and crispy texture quickly when it’s heated, so be sure to stir a handful of chopped microgreens into whatever you’re making only after it’s finished cooking, or use it as a garnish on top.

Alfalfa for the Salad Bowl

Once you’ve mastered the basics of growing these microgreens or sprouts, you can fine-tune to suit your own menu needs.

Plant accordingly, based on how quickly you’ll be able to eat this healthy homegrown greenery, so you won’t let any go to waste.

If you’re already knowledgeable about the process and have tips of your own to share, we welcome your input in the comments section below. Let us know if you have any questions as well!

And if you’d like to learn more about other options for growing leafy greens indoors, read these guides next:

for fresh, tasty salads and garnish |

(Image credit: Alamy)

Once you discover how to grow alfalfa sprouts, you won’t want to stop. Easy to grow, these tiny, tasty plants allow you to enjoy homegrown sprouts in just five days.

Alfalfa (Medicago sativa) is a perennial plant and is used in traditional medicine and supplements. But it can be grown as part of your vegetable garden ideas and eaten fresh in salads or as a garnish in the form of alfalfa sprouts.

Bought as dry seeds, alfalfa needs next to no specialist equipment and requires very little house space, and our expert guide will show you how to grow alfalfa sprouts.

How to grow alfalfa sprouts

(Image credit: Alamy)

Give growing alfalfa sprouts a go and find out just how easy and rewarding they are. ‘These super quick crops are packed full of surprising and intriguing flavours that will enthrall your taste buds,’ say the team at Suttons .

Even more space-efficient than vegetable garden container ideas, alfalfa sprouts can be grown in a jar, tray, or even on paper towel.

A word of caution first. The CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) says that sprouts can cause foodborne illness. ‘Cook sprouts thoroughly to reduce the risk of illness,’ it advises. ‘Thoroughly cooking sprouts kills the harmful bacteria.’ It also recommends, ‘Children, older adults, pregnant women, and people with weakened immune systems should avoid eating raw sprouts of any kind.’

Note also the cautions on alfalfa from the US NIH (United States National Institutes of Health).

How much seed to use

A little goes a long way with sprouting seeds so start with a small amount to work out exactly what you need. Roughly 0.35oz (10g) of seed grows into 3.5oz (100g) of sprouts – that’s roughly 1½ cups worth – within five to six days.  

How to grow alfalfa sprouts in a jar

In order to grow alfalfa sprouts, besides alfalfa sprouting seed, you will need a sprouting jar or similar wide-mouthed glass jar (a mason or pickling jar will work well) and a special mesh-covered sprouting lid or piece of muslin or open weave cotton and elastic band. This is essential for letting the seed breath and encouraging the sprouts to form. A fine sieve or strainer is also very useful for draining soaked seed. These are the steps to follow.

1. Soak and drain the seed 

Fill the jar with cool water (not cold) and pour in all of the seed. Cover with the sprouting lid or open weave cloth secured with an elastic band. Leave to soak for eight to 10 hours (or overnight) before emptying out the water, using the strainer to catch any seed. 

2. Leave to sprout

Shake out any remaining moisture and encourage the damp seed to spread out within the jar by gently shaking from side to side. Any moisture left within the jar will cause the seed to rot. Leave somewhere away from direct light at room temperature for eight to 10 hours.

3. Repeat the process 

Rinse the seed once again with cool water, drain thoroughly, before spreading out in the jar and leaving for another eight to 10 hours. Sprouts should appear at the end of day one but repeat the rinsing/drying cycle for another four days until the sprouts reach your preferred size.

4. Allow air circulation

‘Whilst growing, leave the sprouts out of direct sunlight and at room temperature, and make sure they have some air circulation,’ say the sprouting seed experts Sky Sprouts . ‘If it is warm, the sprouts will grow faster, and if it is cool they will grow slower. Whether it is light or dark makes no difference until the sprouts have leaves.

5. Harvest alfalfa sprouts

When the sprouts have reached your ideal size, tip them out of the jar and spread them out on a tray in the sunlight. After 15 minutes they should have turned green – the sunlight will activate the enzymes. The sprouts can then be prepared for eating.

How to grow alfalfa sprouts on a tray

To grow alfalfa sprouts on a tray, follow the same process as growing them in a jar. Start by soaking the seed in a jar for between eight to 10 hours, before straining all the water off. Spread the seed evenly over the base of an unglazed clay tray or pot saucer.

Place the saucer in a watertight tray and fill until the water level is halfway up the side of the saucer. Place in a dark area and keep water levels topped up over the next four to five days. The clay will absorb enough water to nourish the seeds.

Once the sprouts are half to 2in (1.3 to 5.1cm) high move the saucer to a sunny windowsill. The sprouts can be eaten when they’ve turned green.

How to grow alfalfa sprouts on paper towel

To grow alfalfa sprouts on paper towel, soak the seeds in a jar overnight and strain through a fine sieve or piece of muslin. Once drained, soak a few sheets of paper towel in water, wring out until damp and spread on a shallow tray or plate. 

Carefully spoon the soaked seed evenly on to the paper towel. Cover with another sheet before moving the tray to somewhere dark. Keep the paper towel slightly damp by misting with a water spray when needed. Sprouts should appear after two or three days. 

Keep the paper towel in the dark until the sprouts are the desired size – usually around five to seven days. Remove the tray and place on a sunny windowsill to ‘green’ up before harvesting. 

‘To harvest your greens without any waste, you can gently pull them away from the paper towel and they should separate. This will leave the roots and seed hulls intact,’ say Adam Sayner and Eric Jong of Grocycle . 

Is it safe to grow your own alfalfa sprouts?

Is it safe to grow your own alfalfa sprouts, but always opt for those sold as being for sprouting. Alfalfa is grown as a farm and forage crop, as well as a cover crop, so it’s important to used seeds that are destined for human consumption.  

How long does it take to grow alfalfa sprouts?

It takes very little time to grow alfalfa sprouts. The sprouts will likely appear at the end of the first day of growing, but they’ll take around five days in total to get to a suitable size.

Jill Morgan has spent the last 20 years writing for Interior and Gardening magazines both in print and online. Titles she has been lucky enough to work on include House Beautiful, The English

Home, Ideal Home, Modern Gardens and Gardeningetc.com. Although much of her career has involved commissioning and writing about reader homes and home improvement projects, her

everlasting passion is for gardens and outdoor living, which is what she writes about for Homes & Gardens. 

90,000 how to grow a microwave of alfalfa at home, than it is useful and how to prepare it tasty

Content:

Recent research by scientists has cemented alfalfa as a valuable human food product, provided it is grown as a microgreen. It has a delicate, sweet taste of young green peas. No particularly difficult conditions are required for its cultivation - a mini-bed with alfalfa can be arranged right on the kitchen windowsill, balcony or loggia. The first harvest of the most delicate sprouts can be cut off after 5-7 days. Alfalfa microgreens are a storehouse of biologically active substances that have a positive effect on many organs and systems of the human body. nine0003

How to grow alfalfa microgreens

The general principles of growing alfalfa microgreens are similar to growing almost any other microgreen. It also requires a nutrient substrate (but not always), regular moisture and sufficient sunlight.

How to choose alfalfa seeds for microgreens

Alfalfa seeds for germination for microgreens are recommended to be selected no older than 1 year. The fact is that a longer shelf life not only reduces their ability to germinate, but also reduces the potential of vital energy in the “sleeping” seed embryos. Theoretically, almost any variety of alfalfa can be grown for microgreens, and at present, breeders are just approaching the creation of its varietal varieties designed specifically for this purpose. nine0003

This is why seed packets found in health food stores almost never list specific varieties. But often they contain Sparta and Feya varieties, which are distinguished by a high protein content - up to 22%.

It is also important to emphasize that it is unacceptable to grow alfalfa for microgreens from seeds intended for agriculture - as they are usually subjected to specific chemical treatments. It is recommended to buy seeds whose packaging says that they are suitable for germination on sprouts. nine0003

What you need to germinate alfalfa

The options are varied. The classic version is a low tray with garden soil, fertile and light, but without the addition of fertilizers. You can also use special mats and even ordinary plastic containers or jars of water. But growing greens in the ground is associated with a number of difficulties, for example, it increases the risk of alfalfa diseases. Therefore, it seems much more rational to grow it on a rug:

How to plant alfalfa on microgreens

The process of growing alfalfa microgreens on a mat can be represented as follows:

  1. Place the mat in a plastic tray.
  2. Spread the seeds in an even layer on the mat.
  3. Moisten seeds thoroughly with a spray bottle.
  4. Cover the tray with plastic wrap and store in a dark, warm place. nine0008
  5. Remove film after 24 hours and spray again.
  6. Remove in heat and darkness under the film for another day.
  7. Re-water and expose the trays to diffused sunlight without covering with foil.

How often to water microgreens

For the full development of young sprouts of alfalfa, it is enough to water every day, irrigating from a spray bottle. It is better to always do this in the morning - so the processes of photosynthesis will be more active in the plants. nine0003

When and how to cut

It is recommended to eat alfalfa at the 2-3 leaf stage when it reaches a height of 5-10 cm. Use sharp scissors to cut the plants, removing the sprouts with a minimum indent from the line from the growth from the substrate or from the root system.

Mold Prevention

It simply requires the trays to be placed in a well ventilated area. If the apartment is hot and stuffy, then for 1-2 hours a day you can turn on the fan near them. nine0003

Alfalfa microgreens - benefit

Nutritionists believe that alfalfa microgreens are of great benefit for immunity, increased vitality, improved cardiovascular health, liver cleansing and even cell rejuvenation. As for the composition of the plant, its performance per 100 g of product can be represented as follows.

Energy value 29 kcal
Vitamin C 8.3 mg
Magnesium 26 mg
Vitamin K 30 mcg
Vitamin B9 37 mcg
Potassium 80 mg
Phosphorus 70 mg

How to use alfalfa microgreens

Nutritionists recommend using this product as part of vegetable salads, raw egg smoothies, and smoothies from fermented milk products. Naturally, you can add alfalfa to a sandwich made from whole grain bread, add it to a side dish for meat cooked according to a diet recipe. nine0003

How to store

Cut microgreens should be stored in the refrigerator, lined between two damp cotton towels and placed in a loosely covered or perforated plastic container. In this form, it can be stored for up to a week.

Questions and answers

When are the first shoots?

The exact timing depends on the quality of the seeds and the conditions of their germination. But taking into account the biology of alfalfa, they can be expected to appear already 48 hours after sowing. nine0165 What to do if mold has formed?

It is strictly forbidden to eat such greens. If the mold appeared only on a part of the sprouts in a small area of ​​crops, they can be cut with an indent of 2-3 cm into clean plants. The remaining alfalfa also needs to be cut, but for the speedy consumption of food.
What to do if the microgreens are withered?

Microgreens are fragile and there is no point in eating them withered - they will neither taste good nor be healthy.

nine0002 What to do if microgreens are overgrown?

Unfortunately, after 2 weeks, alfalfa not only loses its valuable microgreen chemistry, but also becomes difficult to digest for the digestive tract. That is why it should be consumed before the age of 10-12 days. If it so happened that it has outgrown, it remains only to sow microgreens again.

What to do if microgreens do not sprout?

Most likely, the problem lies in the low germination of seeds and then you need to try another batch or another manufacturer. If alfalfa was sown into the ground, the whole point may be in its deep, more than 5 mm, incorporation into the soil. nine0003

Summing up, we can say that alfalfa microgreens are suitable for anyone who wants to have fresh, organic, mouth-watering greens on their table. Its cultivation is within the power of even those who, in principle, did not keep plants at home and with very little effort, you can eat alfalfa all year round with benefit and pleasure.

Alfalfa microgreens: description and benefits of sprouts

Alfalfa belongs to the legume family. Several other names for the plant are known - Medicágo, Medanka, Alfalfa. Due to its unique composition and powerful therapeutic effect on the human body, alfalfa is used in folk and traditional medicine. But nutritionists consider honeydew sprouts or microgreens to be a very valuable dietary product. nine0003

Content

  1. Description of the microsenery of the Lucerns
  2. Food value
  3. Chemical composition
  4. Useful health properties
  5. Women
  6. children
  7. Basic rules for germination of microsemen 9000
  8. Proper consumption with the benefit of
  9. with diabetes diabetes.
  10. For hemorrhoids
  11. For lowering cholesterol
  12. For skin diseases
  13. For anemia

Description of alfalfa microgreens

Microgreens are germinated alfalfa in the phase of two true leaves. Plant height ranges from 5 cm to 10 cm. The period from sowing seeds to harvesting finished products is no more than 5-12 days. Alfalfa microgreens are considered an intermediate stage between seedlings and adult greens. Sprouts are seeds that have just sprouted, and microgreens have already passed the cotyledon stage and released 2 true leaves. It has a central stem, cotyledon leaves and true leaflets. nine0003

In addition to the description of alfalfa microgreens, there will be a list of external and taste parameters and a photo of the product. Honeydew seedlings are pale green in color with a high concentration of nutrients and enzymes. This is due to the fact that a small sprout fully uses the supply of nutrition contained in the seeds. At the same time, the calorie content of alfalfa microgreens is significantly lower than that of seedlings. Stems and leaves without roots are used for food. The taste completely coincides with the parameters of an adult plant. Micro alfalfa should be cut with scissors above the ground surface. You can grow a nutritional supplement all year round. nine0003

Nutritional value

Microgreens are a low energy product. The calorie content of 100 g of alfalfa seedlings is only 23 kcal. Dietary fibers are of great value, their amount in 100 g of microgreens is about 1.9 g. The main nutrients are distributed in the following proportion:

Water in 100 g of seedlings - 93 g, fatty acids omega-6 234 g and omega-3 up to 175 g. All substances are in a bioavailable form and are well absorbed by the body. Alfalfa is highly valued by fans of the vegan diet as a source of high quality protein. nine0003

Chemical composition

The culture has such a rich composition that the list of all substances looks very impressive. Alfalfa microgreens contain vitamins, minerals, macro- and microelements, phytoactive substances, chlorophyll. The benefits of each element are confirmed by scientific research:

  1. B vitamins have a positive effect on the state of the nervous system. Necessary to reduce stress, normalize the process of cell division, convert nutrients into energy for life. Vitamin C strengthens the immune status, protects the body from the penetration of viruses and bacteria. Vitamin K is needed for the absorption of calcium. nine0008
  2. Minerals. The most significant are manganese, iron, potassium, calcium and phosphorus. Together they strengthen the immune system, regulate the acid-base balance, participate in protein and carbohydrate metabolism, and increase the absorption of other important substances.
  3. Phytoactive substances. Chlorophyll, which is involved in the formation of red blood cells and purifies the blood, deserves special attention here. Thanks to him, alfalfa microgreens are included in the diet of patients with oncological pathologies. Also, sprouts contain a high concentration of coumarin, lutein, alpha-carotene. nine0008

Alfalfa has a huge spectrum of action, because the leaves and stem are saturated with beneficial substances for the human body.

Health Benefits

Regular use of alfalfa microgreens has a positive effect on the well-being of people of all ages. The benefits of alfalfa are not limited to nutritional value. The plant has a curative and preventive effect. According to the observations of nutritionists, specialists in traditional and traditional medicine, honeydew is capable of:

This is only a small part of the useful qualities of honeydew seedlings. It helps to improve health in various conditions. A more detailed description of the effect of the product on health makes it possible to use it correctly.

Women

The powerful effect of alfalfa microgreens is undesirable for the female body in early pregnancy. But when feeding a child, it is useful to include it in the mother's diet to improve lactation and replenish vitamin K.

The antitumor effect of sprouted honeydew seeds has a fruitful effect on the health of women during menopause. Microgreens are recommended to be included in the diet for the prevention of breast cancer. The isoflavonoids contained in the plant alleviate the symptoms of hormonal imbalance in menopause, cure endometriosis.

Men

This is how alfalfa is useful for the male body. Scientists have identified a positive effect of the plant on the viability of spermatozoa. Therefore, alfalfa microgreens will be of great benefit in the treatment of adenoma, prostatitis or infertility. The anti-stress action of the components will help with heavy physical labor or great mental stress. nine0003

Children

Microgreens are given to children as an immune booster. It can become an additional source of energy for the baby in the treatment of colds. Also, the product is prescribed for increased nervousness of the child or hypertrophied thinness. Microgreen is very useful for schoolchildren during intensive study. Daily dose - 30 g.

Alfalfa is not included in the diet of children under 3 years of age.

Be aware that alfalfa has antifungal properties. Therefore, it enhances the action of probiotics and helps to quickly restore the intestinal microflora. However, consuming microgreens with dairy products is not recommended. nine0003

Basic Rules for Sprouting Alfalfa Microgreens

To obtain healthy sprouts, you need to purchase quality seeds. Raw materials can be ordered in an online store, bought in an organic goods market or a regular retail outlet for gardeners. There are several ways to germinate alfalfa microgreens:

  1. With regular potting mix. You will need to prepare a tray or box with sides, soil, a sprayer. Pour alfalfa seeds for 4-8 hours with warm water. Put the container in a warm place, cover with a dark cloth. Fill the container with soil. The height of the soil is 5 cm. It is important to leave the sides so that they support the sprouts. Spread the seeds over the surface, leaving a small distance between them, tamp a little. Moisten from a spray bottle, cover the container with a film or glass. Leave in a dark place for 2-4 days, ventilate daily and moisturize as needed. As soon as the seeds germinate, transfer the container to the light, preferably on the windowsill. At the stage of two true leaves, the seedling is ready for use. The soil can be reused, no need to fertilize. The second time to germinate the seeds should be after sorting the soil. nine0008
  2. In a glass jar. Pull a thin fine mesh onto a 0.5 liter container, fix it on the neck with a thread or cord. Pour alfalfa seeds on the bottom, pour clean water, put on the windowsill. Set the jar at an angle of 30° to ensure a good outflow of water. Water should be changed 1-3 times a day. Seeds take 5-7 days to germinate. When the sprouts crawl through the mesh, the microgreens can be cut.
  3. Hydroponic. This option requires an automatic hydroponic grower. Place the seeds in the upper compartment, and pour water into the lower one. On the first day, cover the upper part of the germinator with a light-filtering lid to optimize the light regime. Water spraying occurs with the help of a special built-in turntable. Alfalfa seeds, thanks to ideal conditions, germinate very quickly. nine0008

Please note! Microgreens can germinate even in the absence of soil. It can be replaced with damp gauze or a cloth laid on the bottom of the container.

Alfalfa seeds germinate well with either method. The main thing is to create optimal conditions for germination - humidity, lighting, air access.

Proper use with benefits

The general rule is to use cut sprouts immediately. In taste, they resemble the taste of beans or peas, so they should be added to dishes, taking into account taste preferences. Microgreens are good as an addition to soups, salads, sauces, pickled vegetables and sandwiches. You can store microgreens for 2-3 days on the bottom shelf of the refrigerator. nine0003

For diabetes

To reduce sugar levels, it is recommended to add greens to salads. The daily dose for an adult is no more than 2 tablespoons. From joint and muscle pain

Microgreen contains all the necessary components for the treatment of diseases of the musculoskeletal system. It is best consumed in the form of juice or in its pure form, as a supplement to the diet. Enough 30 grams of greens per day.

For hemorrhoids

To regulate the process of venous outflow of hemorrhoids, it is enough to take 25 g of fresh microgreen juice daily. You can replace the juice with freshly cut seedlings in the amount of 2 tablespoons 2 times a day. nine0003

Cholesterol lowering

Alfalfa components saponins and coumarin perfectly reduce the level of bad cholesterol. They destroy atherosclerotic plaques and prevent the deposition of cholesterol on the walls of blood vessels. To prevent the disease, it is necessary to consume 40-50 g of fresh microgreens daily without heat treatment.

For skin diseases

Vitamin K, collagen and enzymes contribute to the rapid restoration of the skin. It is enough to consume 1 cup of sprouts daily to get rid of skin diseases. Compresses from crushed alfalfa sprouts help well. nine0003

Anemia

Alfalfa - microgreens contain iron in an easily digestible form. This improves blood production and prevents the occurrence of iron deficiency anemia.

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