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Salad Sprouter
The Salad Sprouter or Salad Maker is a piece of kitchen ware that is used to grow sprouts. On this page we talk about the Bio-Set salad maker.
Sprouting is the process of wetting then draining seeds at regular intervals until they germinate, or sprout. A sprout is what a seed is called in its first days of growth. Generally it grows using the food that is found in the seed. This process is usually three to five days. Then the sprout starts to grow into a mature plant.
Sprouts are harvested during the three to five day period for eating. At this stage they have a taste all of their own. Leaving the sprouts to grow any longer than five days will cause them to start to rot.
When harvesting sprouts from the salad sprouter, simply take your sprouts, wash, rinse and dry. Put them in a plastic or bowl for storage in the refrigerator. They will only last a few days. They have to be eaten quickly.
Commercially grow sprouts use a different type of salad maker so their seeds will have a longer shelf life.
Why eat sprouts grow in the salad sprouter?
Because they have a high nutritional value.
Sprouts are rich in digestible energy, bioavailable vitamins, minerals, amino acids, proteins, beneficial enzymes and phytochemicals. These nutrients are essential for human health.
According to the naturopath and herbalist Isabell Shipard (Shipard, 2005) -
“Sprouts are a tremendous source of (plant) digestive enzymes. Enzymes act as biological catalysts needed for the complete digestion of protein, carbohydrates & fats. The physiology of vitamins, minerals and trace elements is also dependent on enzyme activity.”
“Being eaten whilst extremely young, “alive” and rapidly developing, sprouts have been acclaimed as the “most enzyme-rich food on the planet”. Estimates suggest there can be up to 100 times more enzymes in sprouts than in fruit and vegetables, depending on the particular type of enzyme and the variety of seed being sprouted. The period of greatest enzyme activity in sprouts is generally between germination and 7 days of age.”
Though they are small, sprouts contain a big punch in helping our bodies digest food. For more information see our page on
Growing Broccoli Sprouts.
Interested in growing some sprouts?
How do I get started?
What do I grow?
In the video below, I show how to use the sprouter, water and harvest the sprouts. When sprouting seeds, the idea is to use a little bit of water.
In the video, I state to put the sprouts in the freezer. This is not correct. They go into the refrigerator.
Sprouts can be eaten by themselves, but it is suggested that you mix them with your favorite salad or even mix them in with your food as you cook.
I mixed some mung beans in with my omelet. It was very good.
Once you have harvested the sprouts, make sure you clean the sprouter with hot water and soap. Do not put it in the dishwasher.
Also remove the siphon valve and clean under it. I have found that roots like to grow in this area and the only way to get them out is to remove the siphon valve.
If you are having digestive problems, any medical condition or under the care of a doctor for any reason, make sure you check with them first to make sure you can eat the sprouts your grow in your Salad Sprouter.