Guest guest Posted November 10, 2011 Report Share Posted November 10, 2011 Welome to the group! Someone else will have to respond on the question about the citric acid. I know that some people are using a solution of Peroxide for some reason while sprouting. I just use water. I had been using the Jar method to sprout but recently purchased some Easy Sprouts and I love them!! My Whole Foods has some of the sprouting seeds, but I have not seen the sprouters there. Your husband is a dear! I recently rolled coins and came up with enough to purchase my 6 Easy Sprouts sprouters. Although we could have put the money else where at this time, are car is broke down and apparently going to have to take the dealer to court, he gladly let me order my Easy Sprouts. Actually, I may be fixing to go out of town due to our son in law having surgery and probably speaking with a lawyer while I am in Alabama, and the Easy Sprouts are going to come in very handy for me! I am encouraging my husband to continue to sprout while I am gone but at this time I don't know if he will. Enjoy your sprouting! On Thu, Nov 10, 2011 at 10:59 AM, holyflyingsprouts <johnnievsgirl@... > wrote: > ...knows that I've been absolutely dying to get into sprouting. (and I'll > apologize in advance for my lengthy newbie post). > > He knew that I've been saving up to stock up on some supplies from > Sproutpeople (I have a nice long wish list but am presently not working) > and he thought of getting them for me as a surprise (but apparently when he > searched the office he couldn't find my secret list, LOL - which of course > he couldn't since it's on my laptop and not on paper). So apparently he was > kind of sad about it since he was so proud of himself for coming up with > the idea of getting sprouting tools/supplies to make me smile and didn't > know how to get around that fact that he had no idea what I wanted except > by asking me (which he didn't want to do). > > So apparently while he was shopping at Whole Foods yesterday he saw an > area at our mega-location that sold sprouting supplies etc and found that > they sold Easy Sprout, Mason Jars, Seeds and other such useful tools. Well > I guess a lightbulb went off in his head at that moment... and since he > knows I love Broccoli Sprouts and have been buying them instead of growing > them (something I've wanted to change for quite some time now) he > determined that this would be a nice surprise. So the darling husband came > home with an Easy Sprout and some Broccoli Seeds and a nice grin on his > face ear to ear and he certainly made me smile! > > So as I've mentioned, he came home with the two basic and necessary > tools... but apparently the sales person who helped him also sold him a > bottle of powdered " Citric Acid " along with the seeds where you are > supposed to add just a tiny bit to the water when soaking and rinsing - > which he was told was supposed to prevent spoilage, mold etc. > > Now, after as many wonderful and resourceful videos as I've seen from > Sproutpeople and the Easy Sprout, I've never seen the gentleman in those > videos (whom I affectionately refer to as " Mr. Sprout " in my house, LOL) > mention to my recollection any use of such powder in preparing the soaking > or rinsing water (it all appears just to be plain water from the tap). As a > result, it begs the question... should I/do I really need to use it? > > The bottle is labeled " NOW Healthy Foods - Citric Acid 100% Pure - Helps > Sprouting " and it's directions state: " Citric Acid is a food grade acid > that is present in many natural foods. It can be used to reduce spoilage in > sprouting by adding 1 tsp. per quart to soak and rinse water. Citric Acid > is useful in sprouting, canning, drying or freezing. It can be used to > preserve Vitamin C content, retard spoilage by bacterial growth, and > prevent discoloration. Use 1 tsp. per quart of water or juice for most > fruits and vegetables. " > > I am familiar with the substance from my Mother growing up when we canned > items, but I've never heard it being used in water to use on plants that > are growing. So my Sprout-Friends, what is your consensus on this matter? I > am a brand-spankin sproutin' newbie who wants to make sure my sprouts are > the happiest they can be! Your thoughts are most gratefully appreciated. > > > > ------------------------------------ > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 10, 2011 Report Share Posted November 10, 2011 I've never seen any reason to use citric acid and I, along with many other sprouters have done well without it. Lee > So as I've mentioned, he came home with the two basic and necessary tools... but apparently the sales person who helped him also sold him a bottle of powdered " Citric Acid " along with the seeds where you are supposed to add just a tiny bit to the water when soaking and rinsing - which he was told was supposed to prevent spoilage, mold etc. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 10, 2011 Report Share Posted November 10, 2011 HI, YOu have a WONDERFUL husband. And I have never heard of Citric acid and I've never used it. I'm reading what the others are posting on this subject. Happy sprouting!! Melody > > ...knows that I've been absolutely dying to get into sprouting. (and I'll apologize in advance for my lengthy newbie post). > > He knew that I've been saving up to stock up on some supplies from Sproutpeople (I have a nice long wish list but am presently not working) and he thought of getting them for me as a surprise (but apparently when he searched the office he couldn't find my secret list, LOL - which of course he couldn't since it's on my laptop and not on paper). So apparently he was kind of sad about it since he was so proud of himself for coming up with the idea of getting sprouting tools/supplies to make me smile and didn't know how to get around that fact that he had no idea what I wanted except by asking me (which he didn't want to do). > > So apparently while he was shopping at Whole Foods yesterday he saw an area at our mega-location that sold sprouting supplies etc and found that they sold Easy Sprout, Mason Jars, Seeds and other such useful tools. Well I guess a lightbulb went off in his head at that moment... and since he knows I love Broccoli Sprouts and have been buying them instead of growing them (something I've wanted to change for quite some time now) he determined that this would be a nice surprise. So the darling husband came home with an Easy Sprout and some Broccoli Seeds and a nice grin on his face ear to ear and he certainly made me smile! > > So as I've mentioned, he came home with the two basic and necessary tools... but apparently the sales person who helped him also sold him a bottle of powdered " Citric Acid " along with the seeds where you are supposed to add just a tiny bit to the water when soaking and rinsing - which he was told was supposed to prevent spoilage, mold etc. > > Now, after as many wonderful and resourceful videos as I've seen from Sproutpeople and the Easy Sprout, I've never seen the gentleman in those videos (whom I affectionately refer to as " Mr. Sprout " in my house, LOL) mention to my recollection any use of such powder in preparing the soaking or rinsing water (it all appears just to be plain water from the tap). As a result, it begs the question... should I/do I really need to use it? > > The bottle is labeled " NOW Healthy Foods - Citric Acid 100% Pure - Helps Sprouting " and it's directions state: " Citric Acid is a food grade acid that is present in many natural foods. It can be used to reduce spoilage in sprouting by adding 1 tsp. per quart to soak and rinse water. Citric Acid is useful in sprouting, canning, drying or freezing. It can be used to preserve Vitamin C content, retard spoilage by bacterial growth, and prevent discoloration. Use 1 tsp. per quart of water or juice for most fruits and vegetables. " > > I am familiar with the substance from my Mother growing up when we canned items, but I've never heard it being used in water to use on plants that are growing. So my Sprout-Friends, what is your consensus on this matter? I am a brand-spankin sproutin' newbie who wants to make sure my sprouts are the happiest they can be! Your thoughts are most gratefully appreciated. > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 10, 2011 Report Share Posted November 10, 2011 Welcome to the group. Holly is it? I have been sprouting for 30 years and have never used anything except tap water. My wife and I use the citric acid when we are canning and preserving, and occasionally in a fruit salad to keep it from loosing its color. ew So My Darling Husband... ...knows that I've been absolutely dying to get into sprouting. (and I'll apologize in advance for my lengthy newbie post). He knew that I've been saving up to stock up on some supplies from Sproutpeople (I have a nice long wish list but am presently not working) and he thought of getting them for me as a surprise (but apparently when he searched the office he couldn't find my secret list, LOL - which of course he couldn't since it's on my laptop and not on paper). So apparently he was kind of sad about it since he was so proud of himself for coming up with the idea of getting sprouting tools/supplies to make me smile and didn't know how to get around that fact that he had no idea what I wanted except by asking me (which he didn't want to do). So apparently while he was shopping at Whole Foods yesterday he saw an area at our mega-location that sold sprouting supplies etc and found that they sold Easy Sprout, Mason Jars, Seeds and other such useful tools. Well I guess a lightbulb went off in his head at that moment... and since he knows I love Broccoli Sprouts and have been buying them instead of growing them (something I've wanted to change for quite some time now) he determined that this would be a nice surprise. So the darling husband came home with an Easy Sprout and some Broccoli Seeds and a nice grin on his face ear to ear and he certainly made me smile! So as I've mentioned, he came home with the two basic and necessary tools... but apparently the sales person who helped him also sold him a bottle of powdered " Citric Acid " along with the seeds where you are supposed to add just a tiny bit to the water when soaking and rinsing - which he was told was supposed to prevent spoilage, mold etc. Now, after as many wonderful and resourceful videos as I've seen from Sproutpeople and the Easy Sprout, I've never seen the gentleman in those videos (whom I affectionately refer to as " Mr. Sprout " in my house, LOL) mention to my recollection any use of such powder in preparing the soaking or rinsing water (it all appears just to be plain water from the tap). As a result, it begs the question... should I/do I really need to use it? The bottle is labeled " NOW Healthy Foods - Citric Acid 100% Pure - Helps Sprouting " and it's directions state: " Citric Acid is a food grade acid that is present in many natural foods. It can be used to reduce spoilage in sprouting by adding 1 tsp. per quart to soak and rinse water. Citric Acid is useful in sprouting, canning, drying or freezing. It can be used to preserve Vitamin C content, retard spoilage by bacterial growth, and prevent discoloration. Use 1 tsp. per quart of water or juice for most fruits and vegetables. " I am familiar with the substance from my Mother growing up when we canned items, but I've never heard it being used in water to use on plants that are growing. So my Sprout-Friends, what is your consensus on this matter? I am a brand-spankin sproutin' newbie who wants to make sure my sprouts are the happiest they can be! Your thoughts are most gratefully appreciated. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 11, 2011 Report Share Posted November 11, 2011 Thank you so very much everyone for your highly valued input! I did a little research online, and according to my research - it seems that Citric Acid being used in the water being used for the sprouting process has become a highly suggestible prevention modality (although not mandatory) action given recent bacterial issues with homegrown sprouts such as in places like Germany and other areas of the world including the U.S. where salmonella and E-Coli have been a problem. Now as for me personally - I'm not a " germaphobe " by any means (as I realize that we need some for our immune systems etc), however these legitimate concerns do cause me to consider such a perspective as a result of the following reason: as I have several chronic/major medical issues already that disable me which could be adversely affected should I become really ill from eating my own sprouts (hence some serious consideration had to be given). As a result, if just a tiny bit of Citric Acid in the water can help reduce the chances overall to some degree of my homegrown sprouts being seriously contaminated with some bacterias etc that could cause me more ill health (and right now I have no insurance after my job loss) - I don't mind it and feel the benefits can outweigh any potential other considerations I have (such as adding anything to a growing foodstuff). So, this newbie finally took the plunge and set up her first EasySprouter with some Broccoli Sprouts and is now like an anxious child getting to do their first little science experiment (I can remember in kindergarten growing grass seeds on a piece of bread). I couldn't believe after the first 12 hour soak there were itty-bitty sprouts already coming from the seeds! Now my husband after having watched the EasySprouter and Dehulling Videos on Sproutpeople.org is walking around the house saying " 12 hours later " (LOL) as I wait eagerly to harvest my first crop in a few days and use my new salad spinner to dehull them. I'm so excited! Soon I won't have to pay for sprouts anymore... using up the last bit of purchased sprouts I have in the fridge from Trader Joe's (Pea Sprouts) & Whole Foods (Broccoli Sprouts), and I can't wait until in the near future I can get some more seeds (Looking forward to Garlic-Chive, Mother's Mix and the San Francisco blends from SproutPeople (amongst a wishlist and host of others)! I'm so glad to have found this group... where I am no longer a lurker but now an actively sproutin' participant! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 15, 2011 Report Share Posted November 15, 2011 Hi. I too am new to sprouting, did a very little 20 years ago, but never used citric acid. I hope I'm not breaking any rules, but this link may help in understanding about preparing the grain. She specifically mentions sprouting for bread/flour making, and uses vinegar, which is also a mild acid. Even though the concept as explained in the store is to kill molds which may grow in damp darker places, I think it could be even more useful for you for ease of digestion as well. http://www.thehealthyhomeeconomist.com/2009/06/how-to-make-sprouted-flour-at-hom\ e/ The citric acid is in some cheese making recipes. So far as putting it in the water, look at just about everything in your kitchen pantry, from ketchup to kool-aid. Have fun! (your hubby sounds sweet) Debby Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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