Mung beans are used worldwide as food and in herbal remedies, but many people don’t know that you can grow mung beans at home from scratch—in just a few days! And because no fancy tools are required, you can do it from the comfort of your home with whatever you have.
Not only are mung beans easy to sprout, but their nutritional value far outweighs the minimal amount of time it takes to grow them! When consumed regularly, mung beans supply the body with vital vitamins and minerals essential to overall health and growth.
Because of this, mung beans can be considered one of the healthiest foods you can add to your diet. In this guide, you’ll learn precisely how to sprout mung beans!
What are Mung Beans?
Mung beans are also known as Moong dal, one of the most popular in Indian cuisine. They have a light, nutty flavor with a creamy texture but are not too dense. It also has an impressive nutritional profile: mung beans are high in protein, fiber, and antioxidants.
Mung beans take about 5-7 days to sprout at room temperature or inside your refrigerator. While mung beans are a great source of nutrients, minerals, and vitamins, it is also important to consume other plant-based foods since mung beans don’t provide all the nourishment that a person needs. On the other hand, consuming various plant-based foods is the best way to achieve a healthy diet.
Benefits of Mung Beans
Mung beans are quite adaptable and are commonly used in soups, stir-fries, and salads. They’re also rich in nutrients and considered to be beneficial in preventing a variety of ailments.
Below are a few health benefits of mung beans:
It Helps With Weight Loss by Increasing Fullness Hormones and Suppressing Hunger
High fiber and protein content are essential components that make mung beans ideal for losing weight. Furthermore, the minerals in mung beans might stimulate the release of hormones, and they may help you lose weight by suppressing your appetite and lowering your calorie intake.
The Nutritional Composition Aids in Blood Sugar Control
Mung beans have several properties that aid with blood sugar control. They are high in fiber and protein, which slows the release of sugar into circulation. Mung bean antioxidant properties can also help insulin operate more efficiently by decreasing blood sugar levels.
Lowers Blood Pressure
Mung beans are high in fiber, magnesium, and potassium, all proven to help decrease blood pressure.
High Antioxidant Levels Aid in the Prevention of Chronic Diseases
Mung beans are high in antioxidants such as caffeic acids, flavonoids, phenolic acids, and cinnamic acid, which help neutralize potentially dangerous chemicals called free radicals. Free radicals, in large quantities, can interact with biological components, potentially leading to cancer, heart disease, and chronic inflammation.
Mung bean antioxidants can counteract free radical damage associated with cancer formation in the stomach and lung cells. Remarkably, sprouted mung beans appear to have a higher antioxidant profile, up to six times the antioxidants of ordinary mung beans.
Steps for Sprouting Mung Beans
Have you been searching for an easy way to sprout mung beans? Do you want to eat healthy, whole foods without breaking the bank? If so, the steps below can help you sprout your mung beans:
Rinse the beans
Fill your jar with water, leaving about 2-3 inches of space at the top. Remove any beans that float to the top. Add half a teaspoon of salt per quart jar or 1/2 tablespoon per pint jar. You can also add a few drops of lemon juice or apple cider vinegar if you’re worried about molds forming on the beans while they soak. After washing the beans, strain them and rinse them thoroughly under running water. It is essential to give them enough time to drain before pouring them back into your jar.
Soak the beans
Place the mung beans into a bowl or container and fill it with water until it covers the beans by 2-3 inches and let stand overnight. After soaking, you will notice that your mung beans have doubled in size, and most likely, some tiny white roots will have appeared.
Drain the beans
Drain and rinse your soaked beans before placing them back in a clean jar or bowl. Every time you change the water, keep about one inch of fresh water above the top layer of beans to ensure they stay moist. Change the water every 12 hours for mung beans and every 24 hours for other types of beans to ensure healthy growth and avoid contamination from bacteria, which is common in raw foods such as bean sprouts.
Rinse again
Soak your mung beans overnight or for eight hours at least. Afterward, drain and rinse them thoroughly with fresh water. Transfer the beans to a large jar or container and add about five times as much water as you have (1 liter of water for every 20 grams of dry beans).
Place in a container
Once the desired length has been reached, remove the seeds from the jar or bowl and spread them out onto paper towels to dry thoroughly. Once dried, store your sprouted beans in an airtight container sealed tight with a lid until ready to use. Store washed and drained beans in a refrigerator below 40 degrees Fahrenheit until ready to use within three days after washing/drying 10.
Rinse and drain the beans once more
Continue rinsing and draining the beans every day for two days or until white tails sprout. If you keep your beans in a wet towel, check to see if the cloth is still damp, and sprinkle water if it has dried. Once they’ve reached the length you want (around four days), give them one last rinse and drain.
Allow the bean sprouts to dry
When ready to prepare the bean sprouts, place them on wet wipes and gently rub them to drain out any extra water.
Place the bean sprouts in a container
Refrigerate sprouted beans in a jar or plastic bag with paper towels to preserve a dry environment and keep your sprouts tasting fresh. They will keep in the fridge for about two weeks.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the fastest way to sprout mung beans?
To sprout mung beans more quickly, put the beans and enough water in a large dish, cover it with a lid, and set aside for 6 hours. Drain well and wrap in a muslin towel. Set aside in a warm spot for 9-12 hours to grow.
Is sprouting mung beans preferable to soaking?
Soaking can break down anti-nutrients and prevent nutrient absorption, but sprouting can boost nutrient availability in beans. Sprouting mung beans enhances their vital amino acids and other essential vitamins.
How long does it take for mung beans to sprout?
Sprouting mung beans can take as short as one to two days and reach an edible size in 3 to 4 days.
Mung beans are incredibly easy to sprout and grow, which makes them ideal for those with little to no experience growing their food. If you haven’t yet grown mung beans, we recommend you try them. You never know when a healthy, sustainable food source will come in handy—and the sooner you start, the better off you’ll be.