Making chickpeas germinate is not magic, it's just a question of patience and a bit of background knowledge. Here you can read exactly how you should proceed.
How do you sprout chickpeas?
To germinate chickpeas, you will need a germination jar or a bowl and sieve. Soak the chickpeas in water for 12 to 18 hours, rinse them 2 to 3 times daily and wait at least 3 days until the sprouts are 0.5 to 1 cm long.
Suitable methods for sprouting chickpeas
Special germination devices or germination jars can be used to germinate chickpeas. The germination devices are only worth purchasing if you want to grow germs and sprouts regularly, as they take up a lot of space and are relatively expensive compared to germination jars.
Another and much more cost-effective option is clean preserving jars without lids. Such a jar should contain at least 400 ml for germinating chickpeas. The top of the glass is covered with a piece of fine-meshed curtain net and fixed with a rubber band.
For the third and even simpler method, all you need is a small bowl and a sieve. The chickpeas are soaked and stored in the bowl and rinsed through the sieve.
Long soaking – essential for sprouting legumes
First, the dried chickpeas are soaked in lukewarm water. This should be done for a minimum of 12 and a maximum of 18 hours. Chickpeas that float to the top during the soaking time are sorted out and thrown away.
And now? Wait until the chickpeas show their spirit
After soaking, the chickpeas are now rinsed two to three times every day. Ideally, they are in a bright place and the ambient temperature is 20°C. After three days, the germs are 0.5 to 1 cm long, clearly visible and the procedure can be declared over.
Chickpea sprouts taste good and are versatile
It's not just the nutrient content that increases rapidly during the germination process. The taste also changes. When sprouted, the chickpeas taste nutty, mild and slightly sweet. You can use them for, among others:
- Salads
- Soups
- Sauces
- for further processing into hummus
- or to grow the germs later on the balcony or in the garden
Tips & Tricks
Since chickpeas are poisonous when raw and not germinated, the germination time should be at least 3 days. During this time, the harmful substance called phasin is broken down and the chickpeas are easier to digest. They should not germinate for longer than four days, otherwise they taste bitter.