You don't need to have special skills to grow a healthy grain at home. It is enough to know the sequence of actions and the main conditions for the emergence of seedlings. Read more on how to choose seeds and grow wheat at home.
Why is wheat germ useful?
Not every person is familiar with sprouted wheat, although its beneficial effect on our body has been scientifically proven, and some experts even attribute it to medicinal means.
They eat:
- germinated grains (embryos) with sprouts no more than 3 mm long;
- green, young shoots up to 20 cm high.
During germination of grains, a large amount of proteins is formed in them, while the content of carbohydrates decreases, since they are actively used in the growth process.
The embryos are rich:
- vitamins - A, B, D, PP and E;
- amino acids;
- macro- and microelements - magnesium, potassium, calcium, iron, phosphorus;
- polyunsaturated fatty acids;
- octacosanol - an oil that removes bad cholesterol from the body.
However, sprouted wheat, despite its valuable composition, should not be consumed by children under 12 years old, people with diseases of the gastrointestinal tract and with individual gluten intolerance.
Sprouted wheat can be found on the shelves of health food stores, but the germ does not have a long shelf life. If you want to be sure of the quality of the cereals, then it is better to sprout them yourself. This process does not take much time and does not require practically any financial costs.
Selecting grain for germination
Before you start germinating the cereal, you need to purchase high-quality grain. They are guided by the following principles when choosing:
- Grain grains are purchased from grocery stores or health food stores. The packaging must be marked that it is intended specifically for germination.
- Winter wheat varieties are best suited for this process.
- When purchasing properly labeled grain, you can be sure that it is not treated with chemicals and pesticides. But when buying wheat from farmers or at the market, no one can guarantee that the grain is environmentally friendly, since it is impossible to determine the treatment with chemicals by eye. The only thing that can be done is to ask the sellers for certificates and documents for the goods.
- When choosing wheat, they always pay attention to the appearance. The grains should be practically the same size, complete, without damage, not shriveled, dry, without signs of mold.
What do you need?
To germinate wheat you need the following:
- containers - glass jars, enameled dishes;
- flat tray made of food grade plastic;
- fresh, clean water at room temperature;
- sieve or colander with fine meshes;
- gauze;
- a humidifier - you will need it if the apartment has very dry air or is engaged in grain germination on an ongoing basis;
- universal soil (when germinating in the soil).
How to germinate wheat without land?
To germinate wheat without land, follow these instructions:
- Place the grains in a deep bowl and cover with cold water. Stir slightly to allow debris and empty kernels to float. Drain the water and debris, and transfer the grains to a sieve and rinse well under running water.
- Place the washed wheat in a container and cover with cold water. The amount of water should be 3 times that of the raw material. Leave to swell for 8-10 hours.
- Over time, drain the water, and rinse the grains again under running water.
- Transfer the wheat to a clean dish, cover the container with damp gauze folded in several layers.
- Leave the seeds to germinate at room temperature.
White shoots usually appear no later than 2 days, as soon as their length reaches 1-2 mm, germination is stopped. Wheat germ is stored in the refrigerator for no more than 2 days.
When the sprouts are more than 2 cm long, the value of the product decreases, since most of the nutrients go into the sprouts themselves. Young seedlings turn green and acquire a sweet taste, and toxic substances that are harmful to health begin to form in the grains.
If, 2 days after soaking, the wheat does not sprout, then the grains are thrown away. They become unusable.
Step-by-step instructions for growing wheat on a windowsill
Sprout wheat in the soil on a windowsill according to the following instructions:
- Take the required amount of grains, rinse them in running water. Drain off all the water and transfer the wheat to a deep bowl. Fill it with cold water - it should completely cover all the grains, and cover the bowl with plastic. Leave it on for 10 hours.
- Over time, drain the water, rinse the grains and refill with even colder water. Leave again for 10 hours. Repeat the procedure one more time. At the end of the soak, the beans should have small roots.
- Make drainage holes at the bottom of the shallow container. Then cover the bottom with paper towels to prevent seeds from sprouting through the holes.
- Next, lay out universal soil (5 cm layer) and moisten it well. The soil is purchased in a specialized store.
- Spread the germinated grains over the surface of the soil in one layer, slightly pressing them into the soil. Sprinkle them with a spray bottle, and cover the container with several newspapers dipped in water.
- Maintain high humidity for the first few days. To do this, spray the grains every morning, and remove the newspapers for a while for airing. Keep the soil moderately moist. Also moisten the grain in the evening, plus spray on newspapers, which should be kept moist all the time.
- After 4 days, when shoots appear, remove the paper cover. Place the container in a bright place, but so that direct sunlight does not fall on the sprouts. Delicate seedlings may suffer from them.
Optimal conditions
In order for wheat to give amicable shoots, it is necessary to provide conditions comfortable for its growth:
- Temperature. For normal development and growth of wheat, the air temperature should be 22-24 ° C. The air humidity is kept high. If the air is very dry, it is recommended to use a humidifier.
- Lighting. The best location for a container with seedlings will be the east or west window, since they are not exposed to midday direct sunlight.
- Watering. Water the wheat daily. The soil should not dry out, but it should not be waterlogged either, since the grains can burst and become moldy.
Seedling collection
The sprouts are cut when they reach a height of 15 cm and begin to separate. Usually the crop is harvested on the 9-10th day after sowing. The greens are cut with scissors just above the root.
It is stored in the refrigerator for a week, however, it will be more useful to collect it just before use. After the first harvest, wheat continues to be watered, since it can give up to 3 harvests. But the greens of the 3rd harvest are no longer as juicy and sweet as from the two previous cuts.
How to use wheat germ?
Experts recommend using cereal germs once a day in the morning, preferably on an empty stomach half an hour before the morning meal. Start with small portions, it is enough to eat 1 tbsp. l. sprouts (10 g). Then, if they have not caused a deterioration in well-being, the amount is gradually increased to 30 g. When consumed, it is necessary to chew the grains very carefully so that they are better absorbed by the body.
Sprouted grains are eaten only fresh, since during heat treatment all the nutrients in them are destroyed. They can be added to salads and cocktails. When preparing drinks, the embryos are ground with a blender.
You cannot eat wheat germ at the same time with honey, dairy products, mumiyo, pollen. Wheat fiber is a strong absorbent. They absorb all valuable substances and remove them from the body, reducing the healing effect of products to nothing.
Wheat greens are also best consumed fresh, adding it to vegetable and fruit salads, smoothies.
Growing wheat at home is a simple task. To get the most useful product, you don't have to fiddle with the earth for a long time and “get your hands dirty”. The process is quite simple, the main thing is to know the basic rules of germination and create favorable conditions for seedlings.