Lentils are ideal for vegetarians because they have a high protein content and keep you full for a long time. They triple their volume when they germinate and are rich in valuable ingredients. They are also easier to digest than beans and peas.
How to germinate lentils correctly?
To germinate lentils properly, soak them in lukewarm water for 12 hours, then rinse them and place them in a germination jar. Wash the lenses twice a day until seedlings appear, this takes about two to four days at 18-20 degrees Celsius.
Preparation
Put the lentils in a large pot and fill it with lukewarm tap water. Over the next twelve hours the seeds will swell. Drain the water and rinse the swollen lentil seeds. Wash the seeds twice a day.
Good to know:
- most types of lentils are suitable for germination
- Exceptions are red and yellow lentils that have already been peeled
- local Alb lentils have a particularly intense taste
Utensils
A germination jar with a sieve lid and stand is ideal for germination. Mason jars that you cover with gauze or plastic gauze and a rubber band offer a good alternative. The glasses are positioned so that their opening points slightly downwards. This prevents waterlogging because moisture drips out of the germination container. A sieve that you cover with a saucepan lid has the same properties.
Processing
At temperatures between 18 and 20 degrees it takes two to four days until the first seedlings appear. You can freeze the pre-sprouted lentils or store them in the refrigerator for a week. Before eating, you must blanch the lentil seedlings for at least five minutes. Although the concentration of indigestible ingredients has decreased through soaking, raw lentils still contain a high proportion of toxic substances such as lectins. These substances are rendered harmless when cooking.
Special features
Lentil sprouts have a more intense aroma than non-germinated seeds. They taste nutty and are very aromatic. Some sources assume that the human intestine is better able to digest nutrients from pre-germinated seeds. The germination process multiplies the B vitamin content. In contrast to dry seeds, the germinating seeds contain vitamin C. The seedlings are suitable for use in soups and stews, risotto and vegetable dishes or plain as a bread topping.
Sowing
If you want to cultivate the annual plant, you can plant the seedlings in nutrient-poor and lean soil. Soils that appear unattractive to other crops are suitable. Calcareous marl, gravel and sand offer optimal starting situations. The lentil prefers sunny, warm and dry conditions. It requires little water and no fertilizer.
Tip
So that the tender plants don't collapse later, you should sow grains such as barley or oats in the bed.
Harvest
The legumes ripen from bottom to top. As soon as the shell turns brown and the grains are hard, you can start harvesting. Since not all fruits are ripe at the same time, the harvest takes place over a longer period of time.
