Broccoli Seeds and Sprouts
Broccoli sprouts are more nutritionally active than the regular full grown plants. That's no excuse for avoiding broccoli itself -- just that you might get a kick out of sprouting. If you have grandchildren in the house, they might like to help.
Sprouting must be done ultra-hygenically. There have been problems with some commercially grown sprouts -- and food poisoning from contaminated vegetable sources (or from fruit) can be as dire as from meat. The usual source of contamination in commerical products is the water supply.
Some seed sources on the Internet will tell you that organic broccoli seeds are completely unavailable. It's also been said that all seeds are sprayed with noxious chemicals and ought not to be sprouted. Neither statement appears to be true.
It makes sense to buy from seed supplier who can show proof of organic quality. The suppliers listed at the bottom of this page (chosen by us, not commercial links) seem among the best. All of them have been on the internet for more than four years now.
Research evidence of the beneficial effects of broccoli sprouts on cancer so far is in mice only. Often, mice respond dramatically to chemicals that have weaker or no effect on tumors in humans. You can read the abstracts and the full text article linked below by clicking on the titles.
Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 1997 Sep 16;94(19):10367-72 Broccoli sprouts: An exceptionally rich source of inducers of enzymes that protect against chemical carcinogens
by Jed W. Fahey, Yuesheng Zhang, and Paul Talalay. Abstract| Full ArticleJ Agric Food Chem. 2001 May;49(5):2679-83. Cancer-protective properties of high-selenium broccoli. Finley JW et al. Grand Forks Human Nutrition Research Center, Agricultural Research Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, P.O. Box 9034, Grand Forks, North Dakota
J Nutr. 2001 Nov;131(11 Suppl):3027S-33S. Phytochemicals from cruciferous plants protect against cancer by modulating carcinogen metabolism. Talalay P, Fahey JW. Department of Pharmacology and Molecular Sciences, School of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore "Several epidemiologic studies suggest that consumption of cruciferous vegetables may be particularly effective (compared with total fruit and vegetable consumption) in reducing cancer risk at several organ sites." Reports that experiments with mice confirms this.
Sprouting Method
Put about 4 Tablepoons of seeds in an extremely clean, steam sterilized 32 oz jar. Rinse and drain. Make sure your water source is clean too.
Cover with water (about a cup). Cover with mesh or a cheesecloth. Put in dark place 65-75 degrees F (not the fridge, the seeds need warmth to germinate).
Soak for 4-8 hrs. Rinse with clean water and drain.
Invert the jar and prop at an angle in a bowl. Put back in dark. Continue rinsing, draining, inverting and putting back in dark till the seeds split and sprouts emerge.
When small leaves begin to uncurl at the top of the fragile white stems, bring into the light to Green Up.
City Farmer, Canada's Office of Urban Agriculture
The
Sprouthouse
Organic Seed Suppliers
-- Certified Organic seeds for sprouting --
MUMM'S SPROUTING SEED LTD., Box 80, Parkside, SK, Canada S0J 2A0
[email protected] ph 306 747 2935 fx 306 747 3618
www.sprouting.com
Broccoli Decicco and Early Green certified organic by the Oregon Tilth Certified program and recognized by the States of Oregon and California.
Broccoli de Cicco: An old Italian variety, fine flavor. Small central heads & many side shoots after first heads are cut at 3-4 inches. Non-determinate heading makes for a long harvest time. 1 gram = 175 seeds.
Early Green: Fine Spring variety for the home garden. Maturity varies and allows many nice large heads to be harvested through the season. 1 gram = 200 seeds.
Seeds
of Change Looks
good. Order a catalog?
International Sprout Growers Association "Sprouts and Nutrition"
Have you checked out Antonio's tomato sauce and Jack Beaven's broccoli with garlic?
