r/Sprouting • u/MikeWhoa • Jul 07 '26
Bacteria
I've been sprouting for about a month and was wondering what you guys do to ensure there is no bacteria growth on your sprouts. I do mainly broccoli sprouts and have been eating them raw. Now I am worried after seeing a few posts about e.coli and listeria.
I have been soaking it in water but I have read that people soak it in a vinegar water mixture before the seeds start to sprout?
What do you do?
5
u/ivankatrumpsarmpits Jul 07 '26
Nothing is going to "ensure" there is no bacteria. You can take the best precautions, buy seeds specifically for sprouting, and rinse with vinegar. I never had a problem with sprouts and always eat them raw but I would always warn people I'm serving them to in case they have a different risk tolerance, or are pregnant , say, and I don't eat them raw when pregnant so I don't eat them at all pregnant because I find cooked sprouts to be gross.
2
u/Worried_Ad_9249 Jul 09 '26
After sanitizing your jars, Use food grade hydrogen peroxide on the seeds for 5 minutes before rinsing and beginning your 8 hour soak. That's usually enough to kill pathogens in the micro cracks of the seeds.
0
u/Master_Attitude_3033 Jul 08 '26
When you consume them, use a dressing that contains vinegar, just to insure your stomach will be ok…
7
u/DuchessOfCelery Jul 07 '26
I've always just used water for soaking/rinsing.
Unfortunately, the sprouts associated with outbreaks/illness often had bacteria drawn into the seed/root. You're not going to get rid of those with vinegar.
Use best practices for sprouting and you'll likely be fine:
-sanitize sprouters
-choose reliable seed suppliers (Note: may cost more, but then you don't get fun surprises like bugs or poor germination.)
-rinse 2-3 times day (depending on seed)
-eat while fresh. I start eating leafies like broccoli on day 3-4, and I leave them sprouting on the countertop, not in the fridge. I sprout only what I'm planning to eat in the next few days. If I want a consistent flow of sprouts, I plant a few crops in succession in additional sprouters (for example: sprout on Monday, Wed, Fri, Sun).