How to sprout mung beans at home: secrets of sprouting green beans and ways to eat sprouts

What is mung bean

Mung bean (lat. Vigna radiata), or Indian bean, or mung, is an annual plant of the Vigna genus of the Legume family. Sometimes it is mistakenly called green bean, claiming that mung bean sprouts are very beneficial for the human body.

An ignorant reader may be confused, since green beans are also called green beans or asparagus beans. Mung bean is not a bean, although previously it was classified in this genus and called golden bean (lat. Phaseolus aureus, Phaseolus radiatus).

Mung beans have green beans that really look like small beans . The length of the beans ranges from 0.3 to 0.6 cm.

The historical homeland of mung bean is India. Since ancient times, Indians have cultivated mung bean, calling it “mung”. Fossilized mung beans have been discovered in central India and date back to 1500-1000 BC. e.

Useful properties of mung bean

The beneficial properties of mung bean are due to its composition:

Polyunsaturated vegetable fats protect the heart and blood vessels and have a positive effect on metabolism.
B vitamins have a beneficial effect on the condition of the skin and hair.
Folic acid is indispensable for pregnant and lactating women, for the normal development of the fetus and the optimal composition of breast milk.
Fiber helps the gastrointestinal tract and helps remove toxins and harmful substances from the body.
Nanocoenzymes actively resist the negative effects of the environment on the skin, which makes cosmetic procedures using the plant one of the means to prolong the youth of the skin.
Doctors advise diabetics to eat mung bean sprouts regularly as it maintains normal blood sugar levels.
Chinese medicine uses a decoction of mung bean seeds for a whole list of diseases: digestive disorders, colds, swelling. Chinese traditional healers treat food poisoning with mung bean, in particular poisoning by mushrooms or poisonous plants. In their opinion, mung bean helps with poisoning by pesticides and heavy metals.
These beans also accelerate the healing of thermal burns, have a diuretic effect, and remove harmful substances from the intestines.

Important ! Unfortunately, nutritionists do not recommend eating mung bean for obese people, since its energy value is very high - 300 kcal per 100 g.

But sprouts are a real godsend for those who want to lose weight. When sprouting, the beneficial qualities of beans are not only preserved, but even increased. The amount of protein in sprouts doubles, vitamin C increases seven times, the total content of antioxidants increases 5 times, and the energy value of sprouts, on the contrary, decreases 10 times and amounts to only 30 kcal per 100 g.

Where to buy mung bean and how to store it

Dry mung bean can be purchased in grocery stores, supermarkets, markets or ordered online.
It’s more difficult with sprouted ones - you can really only find them in supermarkets in large cities. Should I be upset about this? No! Mung bean sprouted at home is fresher and healthier than store-bought. It is not at all difficult to germinate it yourself. The price of mung bean varies greatly - from 100 (on the market) to 450 rubles per 1 kg.

If you bought beans in a store in special packaging, they can be stored for the entire specified period provided the packaging is unopened. If the package is opened, it is better to put it in the refrigerator.

Important ! During storage, you should periodically sort through the beans, inspecting them for plaque or unpleasant odor.

It is not recommended to store packages of beans near heating devices (batteries, gas stoves, etc.), as the temperature and humidity of the air inside the package may increase, which will lead to rotting.

If you purchased beans at the market, when you get home, sort them out. Wrinkled or damaged seeds must be removed. The storage container should contain only completely dry and undamaged beans.

Pulses are stored well in canvas bags, previously boiled in a concentrated saline solution, thoroughly dried and ironed.

Correct timing of harvesting in a country house or garden

The timing of harvest depends on the type of crop.
The timing of harvest depends on the variety of beans. If green beans are grown, there is no need to overexpose them in the beds, since when dried they lose their nutritional qualities.

When you plan to use beans for canning, unripe fruits are suitable. To harvest for the winter, you should wait until the pods dry.

It is not recommended to pick all the pods in one day. In the shade of their own greenery, some bogged down plants could develop less actively, so it is advisable to wait for them to fully ripen.

The event is carried out as follows. Dried pods are placed on the blanket and must be walked over with this device. After this, you just have to remove the dry part from the fruit. Selected beans must be dried and only then sent for storage.

Even a novice summer resident can cope with growing beans. If you do not deviate from the basic rules for preparing seeds and beds, and also follow all caring procedures, you can get a generous harvest of beans and use it for preparing various dishes and preparations for the winter.

How to germinate mung bean at home

To germinate mung bean at home use:

Special equipment – sprouter seed germinator. The price for them ranges from 300 to 3000 rubles.
Any suitable size bowl, plate or other container.

Of course, special equipment with an automatic irrigation system, maintaining temperature and air humidity will have a beneficial effect on the quality of seedlings.

However, given that mung bean seeds are large and germinate well and quickly, it is quite possible to get by with a deep soup plate, salad bowl or bowl.

What is needed for germination

You will need:

70 g or 3 tablespoons of dry mung beans (which will yield 210 g of sprouts after 31 hours);
deep and wide dishes (choose them taking into account the fact that the number of beans triples during germination);
125 ml of boiling water.

Step-by-step instructions for germination

How to germinate mung beans at home:

Sort the beans, discarding any debris and dry beans.
Rinse under running water.
Arrange the beans in the sprouter, preferably in one layer.
Boil 125 ml of water and pour boiling water over them. Beans will not suffer from short-term exposure to boiling water, but pathogenic microflora will be destroyed.
Place the dishes in a warm, wind-free place.
After 8 hours, the beans will have absorbed almost all the liquid. Then you need to add more water, this time cooled and boiled, so that the beans are completely covered.
During the day, you need to make sure that the beans do not dry out, but it is also not recommended to overfill them with water.
Periodically rinse the beans under cold running water.
After 31 hours, the length of the bean sprouts will be 0.3-0.5 cm.
Continue to carefully water the mung beans, making sure that the seeds do not dry out.
After 96 hours, the sprouts are ready to eat.
Now you need to rinse the mung beans, carefully removing the green shells, and eat.

Note : The maximum benefit comes from seedlings no longer than 1 cm.

Outdoor cultivation technology

When placing beans in the garden, it is important to remember that this is a light- and heat-loving crop. When the air temperature drops below +10°C, growth stops

With prolonged cold weather, the shoot may die. The soil chosen is fertile, but without an excess of organic matter. Excess nitrogen reduces yield; the plant directs all its energy into the green mass. Like other legumes, beans require phosphorus, potassium, and calcium. Climbing varieties are placed on trellises and are often used as hedges, arched ceilings, and for decorating gazebos and recreation areas.

Seed selection

It is not possible to grow green beans in all regions, this is due to the different growing season of the varieties:

early ripening, growing season 50 days (Cinderella, Tatyana ripen the earliest, Saksa, Melodiya, Caramel, Inga, Bona are not susceptible to fungal and viral diseases, Butter King is distinguished by beans with yellowish oily pulp);
mid-season ones need 70 warm days and nights (Nagano, Deerroot, Nota, Crane, Panther are cultivated for freezing, Purple Queen impresses with the purple color of the pods);
late-ripening varieties require up to 90 days for growth; these are large-fruited varieties for peeling, long-term storage, and fully ripen in southern latitudes.

Early ripening varieties are not suitable for freezing; they are consumed fresh or for canning.

Preparing bean seeds

Pre-planting preparation consists of sorting seed material. Damaged, corroded, diseased, or discolored beans are discarded; they will not make a full-fledged plant. Selected fruits are checked for density: they are dipped in a salt solution. Empty beans will remain afloat, others will sink to the bottom when stirred. After the salt bath, the seeds are washed and dried.

Self-harvested beans are usually planted the following year. When purchasing seed material in stores or online resources, be sure to check the bean harvest date. During long-term storage, they dry out and yield decreases. The optimal storage period for seeds is no more than 2 years.

Pre-sowing preparation of seed material includes:

Preventive disinfection of beans. To do this, they are immersed in a manganese solution for 30 minutes. When left in water for a long time, the beans will turn sour.
Hardening is carried out to adapt to night cold snaps. Wet seeds are placed in the refrigerator or other cool place with a temperature of +4 ° C for 5–6 hours, then dried.
To activate growth, 2 hours before planting, the beans are immersed in a solution of biostimulants.

Pre-planting preparation of seed allows you to obtain friendly, strong shoots.

Location and soil for beans

For planting, choose a well-lit space, sheltered from strong winds. Desirable precursors: nightshade and melon crops, peppers, root vegetables, onions, garlic. In the soil after other legumes, beans can get sick. The soil should be loose, light, rich in potassium and phosphorus.

How to eat mung bean sprouts

Despite the fact that mung bean, unlike other legumes, contains a smaller amount of oligosaccharides that cause gas formation and complicate the digestion process, if digestion is impaired, its excessive consumption can cause dyspepsia and flatulence.

There is evidence in the literature that mung bean should be introduced into the diet with caution for pregnant and nursing mothers, children under 6 years of age, and people with allergies. Folic acid (vitamin B9), which is rich in sprouts, provides protection for the mother during pregnancy, improves the health of babies, and also prevents the risk of early birth and neural tube defects.

Attention ! Consult your doctor before use.

General recommendations

It is important to observe moderation when consuming sprouts. The daily intake should not exceed 60 g or 3 tablespoons.

How to improve the absorption of mung bean sprouts and reduce gas formation:

Add spices: turmeric, ginger, asafoetida, coriander, pepper.
Eat no more than 3 tablespoons per day.
Try to eat sprouts only at lunchtime.
Within 40 minutes after taking it, do not drink cold or too much.
Try not to combine with animal products.
Remember that any protein food requires an active lifestyle.

Recipes

Sprouted mung bean cutlets

Grind 1 cup of sprouts and 70 g of pre-boiled rice in a blender. Fry cumin, coriander and asafoetida, 1 teaspoon each, for 1-2 minutes in a frying pan, add 1 grated carrot to them and simmer for another 5 minutes. Combine the mixture of sprouts and rice with spices. The minced meat is ready. Add salt to taste, form cutlets and fry in a pan or steam.

Hearty smoothie

500 ml of water, a large handful of spinach, celery or parsley, 2 bananas, 2 tablespoons of mung bean sprouts, 5 dates add to a blender and blend.

Korean usage

In Korea, lightly boiled (less than 1 minute) mung sprouts are often served as a separate dish. Then cool and mix with sesame oil, garlic, salt, and other ingredients.

For lovers of hot and spicy Korean salad recipe:

Ingredients:

3 tablespoons of sprouts;
1 medium onion;
2 cloves of garlic;
1 teaspoon sesame seeds (white or black, preferably black and white);
1/3 teaspoon of monosodium glutamate (optional), a pinch of granulated sugar, hot pepper to taste, jalapeno (depend on your taste), if you don’t have fresh hot pepper, take coarsely ground chili, 2 peas of freshly crushed black pepper.

Preparation:

Lightly rinse the mung bean sprouts and place in boiling water. After boiling, cook for 1 minute, then drain the water and drain the sprouts in a colander.
At the same time, throw the black and white sesame seeds into a pre-heated frying pan and fry a little until the white sesame seeds are browned.
Quickly discard the seeds into the prepared plate to prevent them from overcooking.
Chop the onion as finely as possible and pour boiling water over it for 10-15 seconds. Chop the garlic.
Combine onions, garlic, sesame seeds, cooled sprouts and add spices. Mix everything thoroughly and pour in hot, preferably sesame, oil and mix again.
Before eating, let the salad sit for 15-20 minutes.

Flowering and fruit development

Despite the visible differences, mung bean blooms at the end of July - beginning of August, and both smaller and more powerful plants bloom at the same time.

Mung bean flowering

And soon the first fruits begin to appear, which are a thin pod covered with small hairs and gradually elongate to a size of 7-10 cm or more.

Nascent mung bean pods Small plants produce shorter pods and smaller grains at ripeness. But even 10-15 cm plants bear fruit! Small plant growth is not an obstacle to fruiting

In adult plants, which reach a diameter of 70-80 cm and a height of 50-60 cm, the main intrusive weed remains the same bindweed, the roots of which must be pulled out of the ground, after which it dries out safely.

Weeding and loosening the soil for mung beans are very important