Green bean sprouts are often used as an ingredient in stir-fries in Asian dishes, and add a crunchy and healthy flavor to foods. In supermarkets, green bean sprouts are usually labeled "bean sprouts". You don't have to buy ready-made bean sprouts as you can save money by germinating them yourself at home in just two days. Soak the green beans overnight, then wash and drain the sprouts that begin to sprout once every 12 hours until they reach the desired length.
Step
Part 1 of 2: Preparing and Soaking Green Beans
Step 1. Buy fresh, unprocessed green beans
Do not use factory packaged green beans that may have been chemically treated. Check the packaging to make sure that the green beans are fresh (and not processed) made to be germinated and eaten.
Look for green beans in health food stores or through the internet, such as on Bukalapak and Tokopedia buying and selling sites
Step 2. Measure the desired amount of green beans
Pay attention to the size of the jar or bowl that will be used for soaking. The amount of green beans should be about of the size of the container. The green beans will expand (swell) as they germinate so you shouldn't use too many of them.
The yield of mung bean germination is about 2 times. This means, if you germinate 1 ounce of green beans, the result is about 2 ounces of bean sprouts
Step 3. Wash the green beans using a sieve
Run clean water on the green beans until the water becomes clear. The green beans may be dusty because they are usually imported from China. There, green beans are dried on dirt roads.
- This can help clean up anything that may be in the soil, such as poisons and metals.
- This will also get rid of small insects such as mites that cling to the dried green beans.
Step 4. Put the green beans in a wide, clear jar
A good container is a glass jar, but you can also use a jar of pasta sauce or peanut butter. Do not put green beans more than a quarter of the container.
Step 5. Soak the green beans in water and cover the jars with perforated gauze
Fill the container with cold water, about 2 to 3 times the amount of green beans. After that, cover the jar with something with a hole.
- If you want to make your own, cover the jar with cheesecloth tied with a rubber band. You can also punch holes in the lids of the original jars.
- You can also buy special jars for germinating seeds that come with a sieve-shaped lid.
- If you don't have cheesecloth or a perforated lid, you can also soak the green beans in a bowl or jar without a lid.
Step 6. Soak the green beans for about 8-12 hours until they expand
The time it takes to soak depends on the green beans. In general, the more green beans you use, the longer it will take to soak them. You can place the jar on the kitchen counter or in the cupboard. Don't put it in the sun.
You should soak the green beans at room temperature, not in the refrigerator
Part 2 of 2: Drying and Rinsing Mung Beans
Step 1. Drain and rinse the green beans through the perforated lid of the container
Drain the soaking water through the lid of the jar by turning it over in the sink. Next, rinse the green beans that have expanded with water and drain again.
If you don't have a perforated lid or cheesecloth, place a strainer in the hole in the jar and drain the water
Step 2. Place the jar in a dark, cool location for about 12 hours
Look for a spot that gets little or no sun, and no disturbance to green beans. Place the jar upside down and at an angle on a dish rack or cooling rack to allow any remaining water to drain.
While green beans shouldn't be exposed to direct sunlight, you don't need to place them in a completely dark location. The area shaded by the kitchen table can be used well
Step 3. Repeat this process once every 12 hours for 2 to 5 days
Rinse and drain the green beans through the perforated lid every 12 hours (or 2 times a day). Return the green beans to a darkened storage area each time you finish rinsing them.
The green beans will continue to grow in size and a small white "tail" will appear
Step 4. Rinse the sprouts when they have reached the desired length
Pour the sprouts into a colander and rinse one last time before you dry them. Usually, green beans have a good taste when they reach a length of about 1.5 cm, but this depends on individual taste.
At this point, the outer skin of the green peas will begin to peel off the white sprouts. If you wish, you can remove the bare skin from the sprouts by hand
Step 5. Spread these green bean sprouts on a baking sheet that has been lined with paper towels
Spread two layers of dry paper towels on a baking sheet, then pour the rinsed and drained sprouts over the top. Spread the sprouts thinly with your hands and press gently to absorb the excess water. If it is dry, the bean sprouts are ready to be stored.
- Take and discard the green beans that do not germinate.
- To allow the sprouts to dry completely, cover the sprouts with another paper towel and press gently.
Step 6. Put the bean sprouts in a bowl and store in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks
Line the bowl with paper towels, then transfer the bean sprouts into it using your hands. Use these bean sprouts in no more than 2 weeks.
