Pea sprouts are $5 at the local grocery store. Such a tiny bunch. Barely enough for one salad. Since I’m not paying that exorbitant price I learned to sprout.
It was so easy and cheap to sprout peas and beans in a jar. Oh, I’m so glad I did it!
What makes you think of “spring”? For me, it’s the ducks coming back from the south, muddy boots, and fresh peas. Is that why peas are always on the menu for Easter?.
There’s a plethora of choices when it comes to sprouting. For beginners, it’s a good idea to start sprouting with peas and beans.
If you like the taste and experience, then move on to broccoli, red clover and radish.
Low in calories and high in protein, sprouting is simple, healthy, and easy to do. In just 4-5 days, you have fresh grown vegetables for your salad. Talk about farm to table.
Sprouting is a fun and healthy way to enjoy peas and other seeds year-round. The sprouting process boosts nutrients and makes the peas more digestible. But can you eat the entire sprouted pea including the tail, or just the inner seed? Let’s look at how to grow and eat delicious pea sprouts safely.
Yes, the Entire Sprouted Pea is Edible
The great news is that all parts of a home-sprouted pea are completely edible, from the seed it sprouted from to the little white tail that emerges. The tail is simply the initial root that would eventually anchor the pea plant in soil. But for pea sprouts grown in a sprouting jar, the root never fully develops. So don’t worry about removing the tails—eat up and enjoy!
Best Stage to Harvest Sprouted Peas
Let pea sprouts grow until the white tail reaches 1-1.5cm (about 0.5 inch) long. This is when they’ll be at their peak for flavor, texture, and nutrition. The sprouts will still be tender but the seed will have absorbed water and expanded. Don’t let them progress to full-on baby pea shoots with leaves unless you plan to plant them.
Removing the Hull Just Before Eating
The sprouted pea seed will be encased in a thin, clear hull or skin You can eat sprouted peas with the hull on or gently squeeze or pinch the hull off each one right before eating for maximum texture and flavor The hulls slip off easily when sprouts are at the perfect harvest stage.
Rinse Well and Enjoy Raw
Whether you leave the hulls on or remove them, always rinse sprouted peas very well before enjoying them raw. Give them a good swish in a bowl of cool water and drain in a colander. Pat dry with paper towels or spin in a salad spinner. Then sprinkle them on salads, blend into smoothies and dips, or eat as-is for a healthy snack!
Nutrition Benefits of Sprouted Peas
Like many sprouts, pea sprouts are packed with vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients vital for good health
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Protein – Sprouting increases protein availability Peas are already a plant-based protein source
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Fiber – Both soluble and insoluble fiber levels increase during sprouting.
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Vitamins C, K, B vitamins – Higher amounts of many water-soluble vitamins develop during sprouting.
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Antioxidants – Sprouting boosts beneficial antioxidants like carotenoids.
Buying Raw Sprouted Pea Shoots
Many well-stocked grocery stores now sell packaged fresh sprouts including pea shoots. Look for small bags in the produce section. These are essentially harvested just a bit later than home-sprouted peas when tiny leaves have emerged. They’re totally edible raw or cooked and offer the same nutrition as sprouting at home.
Avoid Using Old, Dried or Moldy Peas
Always begin the sprouting process with high quality, fresh seed peas. Dry peas that are very old, damaged, or moldy may not sprout well and could potentially cause illness. Inspect seeds before sprouting and discard any that look discolored or degraded. Storing peas improperly can lead to faster decline in viability.
Don’t Eat Peas Treated Before Sprouting
Some commercial pea shoots producers pre-treat seeds with chemicals or irradiation to control potential pathogens before sprouting. Only sprout untreated, food-grade peas meant for home DIY sprouting. Eating chemically-treated sprouts could expose you to toxic residues. Read all seed packaging carefully.
Possible Contamination Risk of Raw Sprouts
The warm, moist conditions needed to sprout seeds can also encourage bacterial growth in rare cases. Those with lowered immunity should cook sprouts, especially pea shoots bought pre-sprouted, rather than eating them totally raw. Pregnant women are also advised to cook sprouts as a precaution before consuming.
How to Cook Sprouted Peas If Desired
While eating raw sprouted peas maximizes nutrition, you can also lightly cook them if you prefer. Steam pea sprouts briefly until just heated through but still bright green. Saute in olive oil with garlic and seasonings. Or add to soups and stir fries at the very end. Cook only 1-2 minutes to retain benefits.
Growing Pea Shoots in Soil
Let some sprouted peas keep growing until small leaves emerge if you want pea shoots to plant. Transplant them into pots with rich soil about 2 inches apart and place in full sun. In just a couple weeks, you’ll have a crop of delicious homegrown pea shoots to harvest for salads and more!
Rinsing Jars and Equipment Prevents Mold
After each batch of sprouts, thoroughly clean sprouting jars, lids, and accessories used to grow them. Wash with hot water and mild soap, then rinse very well. Allow all parts to dry completely before reuse to prevent mold growth. Sanitizing the components periodically helps keep sprouting healthy.
Storing Sprouted Peas Properly
Store freshly sprouted peas and pea shoots in an airtight container or resealable plastic bag in the refrigerator. Rinsing off any hulls before storing helps minimize spoilage. Properly refrigerated, they will keep for 7-10 days before quality declines. Do not freeze sprouted peas as this damages their delicate texture.
Why bother sprouting peas and beans?
Sprouts are seeds that have germinated and become very young plants. The process is called sprouting. Sprouts are eaten for a special green treat.
With just a few minutes of work and a few dollars for tools, you can grow tasty, cheap vegetables at home.
Plus, you can spout peas and beans in a jar any time of the year for crisp, fresh vegetables when you least expect them. Nothing is growing in my garden from January through April but sprouts can be grown anytime indoors.
If you don’t think you already eat sprouts, think again! Have you ever eaten the gangly sprouts that are an inch long and look like threads? Or how about the mung sprouts that look like noodles and are three inches long in your favorite chop suey?
Big emphasis on fresh veggies. Mass-produced vegetables today are covered in many chemicals, picked before they are ripe, shipped over a thousand miles, and kept on shelves and in trucks for many days before they are eaten.
By the time you eat those white-tipped strawberries, they don’t have much nutritional value or flavor.
It means that by sprouting peas and beans in a jar, you have removed agricultural pesticides and food preservatives from your food. When you eat food grown in the privacy and comfort of your own home, it is the healthiest and freshest food possible.
Your kids or grandkids will love sprouting and it counts as the science lesson of the week. Plus, we fidgety people only have to wait four to five days to enjoy our hard work, instead of months like with most garden-grown vegetables.
Where do I get seeds to sprout?
There are lots of easy and fairly cheap places to get sprouts.
The quickest place will be any grocery store. The seeds, legumes or grains are usually located in the Mexican, Asian or rice aisle.
But they may or may not have organic seeds which are vital. Your local natural health food store will almost always carry a great selection.
International food stores or the international food section of your local grocery store is always a safe bet. Check the Asian/Indian section in particular for a wider choice.
Your local grocery store may also have a natural/organic section to check out. The cheapest option is always going to be the bulk section. The easiest option is to buy sprouting seeds online.
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FAQ
Is it okay to eat peas with sprouts?
Are pea sprouts edible?
Are sprouted split peas safe to eat?
Can sprouted peas be cooked?
Do peas sprout?
One of the farmers at my local farmers market sells peas already shelled. It’s a wonderful time saver but after just a day the peas start to sprout. Why do they do this and is it still okay to eat the peas? Editor: Christina, peas do sprout very fast! I would recommend keeping them cool and dry, but also eating them quickly.
What do green pea sprouts taste like?
Green pea sprouts are crunchy with a fresh, sweet taste reminiscent of snow peas. They are mild and go well with most other flavors. These are many people’s go-to sandwich sprout! I like to grow them in combination with the mung bean variety mentioned below as they have the same growing time and complimentary flavors.
How long do green pea sprouts last?
Taste sprouts (not beans) daily; discontinue rinsing and draining when sprouts have reached desired length and flavor. Drain green peas for several hours before cooking or transferring to a covered container. Store sprouts in the refrigerator up to 1 week. Green peas and other large seeds also sprout well in a bag.