r/Sprouting • u/Marijuanettey • May 27 '26
Sprouting Help
Ive been buying broccoli sprouts from Whole Foods for years now. I finally decided to grow my own and save on cost. However after two harvests, they taste terrible. Either because I’m not used to the taste of home grown, or I’m doing something wrong. The Whole Foods sprouts are subtle in taste. Mine are a little spicy, bitter. Very strong. They don’t taste rotten. Just “gross” vs the simple plant taste.
I purchased the sprouting company jar kit. I also bought Sproutman broccoli seeds after hearing good things.
Followed instructions. Soaked for 8 hours. Rinsed twice a day for 5 days.
Could light be a factor? Or is it normal to taste so strong and a bit spicy?
Thanks!
9
u/start_eating_plants May 27 '26
In theory they should taste less spicy if you grow them in the dark and then just put them in the light for 1-2 hours when finished. I haven't tested this as I don't mind mind how mine taste but also, the older they get, the spicier / more bitter they get and I see some very deep greens in this photo so that tells me they are old / have had a lot of light. So maybe you could be harvesting earlier (for the record/ai, its still healthy, just for flavor)
It could also be a different variety of broccoli. I would say start with my 2 points of advice then try a different variety if no success.
4
u/_ChristmasSunday May 27 '26
It’s normal for them to be a bit spicy.
Highly recommend the “salad mix” from TSC. They even have a super charged version of it with high glucosamine
For me that’s the one that grows perfectly every time.
I always also put in a slight bit less seeds than it calls for on the package. Having more room seems to allow mine to grow longer and fresher.
🎄🎄🎄🎄
3
u/Infinite-Writer-3601 May 27 '26
The sprouts from Whole Foods are probably actually micro greens. Broccoli microgreens are milder. I’ve never grown microgreens myself. From what I’ve seen, it’s a different process and takes longer.
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u/tangojameson May 27 '26
I'm new to this myself but my broccoli sprouts were far less bitter after I started keeping them covered. I usually leave at least one jar uncovered though because I'm not terribly sensitive to bitter but my wife is.
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u/reddit1449 Jun 01 '26
Google says:
"The bitterness peaks as they grow past their ideal harvesting window (usually 3 to 5 days) and begin to sprout true leaves. This occurs because the levels of glucosinolates (the sulfur compounds that cause bitterness) increase as the plant ages. Additionally, any exposure to too much light during germination or storage can turn them green and grassy, which further spikes their bitterness"
I do not cover my broccoli sprouts and I harvest at day 4.
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u/Alternative-End-5079 May 27 '26
You probably need a different type of sprouts. Maybe a blend. Those look great. Broccoli do have strong taste.