Alasanda Molakalu
Black-Eyed Pea Sprouts
These black-eyed peas are from Indian grocery shop (Apna Bazar, Bellevue), and are imported from India like most of the lentils and legumes. Sprouting was easy with these peas. But when I tried the same last week with some American store-bought black-eyed peas, they didn’t sprout. Same thing happened with Adzuki beans.
Are these American peas and beans genetically modified? Why aren’t they coming to life?
Hi Indira,
LAst friday, I made alsandala vada. I left out with some of the lentils and I sprouted it. Yesterday I made gugullu with the sprouted black beans or alasandalu.
Nice picture though. I never bought any lentils from American store. Here in bay area all the lentils in Indian grocery shop are very cheap comparing to American stores.
Comment by laxmi — August 5, 2007 @ 10:14 pm
Hey Indira,
I was told by my aunt who is a Doctor that we should check for any seeds before sprouting if its edible. Following her suggestion I did some research and found that some of the sprouts actually are toxic. Here is a link that has more information on sprouting. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sprouting
Hope it helps!
Regards,
Nina
Comment by Nina — August 5, 2007 @ 10:31 pm
My guess is that the pulses have been irradiated — a standard practice in the US which kills bacteria, but also inhibits sprouting.
Comment by Another Nina — August 6, 2007 @ 1:55 am
Are you on a sprouting spree???
I loved that photo..specially the vessel which holds the sprouts!
Comment by Madhuli — August 6, 2007 @ 2:40 am
Hi,
I tried to sprout alasandalu but they didn’t. They started smelling badly!! and started sticking to each other.
Can you tell me what went wrong?
Thanks
Sushama
Comment by Sushama — August 6, 2007 @ 5:31 am
Hi,
I love ur website and follow quite regularly.
I think, what ‘Nina’ said is correct, the pulses are irradiated. When we tried with Moongdal,(when we were visiting our daughter in CA,)we had the same problem. For the other comment on ’sticking and smelling’, the reason probably is that after soaking, the water is not drained fully. Try putting the soaked pulses in a cloth to keep them dry.
ERM, Vizag.
Comment by ERMurthy — August 6, 2007 @ 8:26 am
Guggullu and vada too? You are tempting me Laxmi. I love alasanda vadalu very much.
Nina: Thanks for posting this informative link about sprouts here.
Black-eyed beans are one of the beans we sprout regularly here and at Nandyala. They are safe to consume and also taste better than the non-sprouted plain beans.
AN: That explains the lack of life. Thanks.
I am aware that they irradiate meat and some vegetables. Poor beans!
Madhuli: just once a week. about two cups of beans, that’s all. Trying to gain some Vit B.:)
Hi Sushama: Like ER Murthy mentioned, proper water drainage and also well ventilated area are essential for healthy sprouting process.
ER Murthy: Thanks for the helpful tip.
Comment by Indira — August 6, 2007 @ 2:44 pm
I think my pinto beans must have been irradiated too …they got sticky and smelly inspite of being well drained…refused to grow! The beans I buy from the bulk bins in health-food stores seem to do fine though..i guess they’re spared the third degree….
Comment by aa — August 6, 2007 @ 4:00 pm
I had same problem with my wal mart bought black eyed peas. After three days, they sprouted a little. By the time,they were smelling so horrible, I had to throw them in garbage.
Comment by Suma Gandlur — August 7, 2007 @ 10:36 am
I love the pictures you take!! Which camera do you use? by the results seems like it is one of the expensive SLRs. Please do share. Thanks
Comment by Kavita — August 9, 2007 @ 10:05 am
Indira, They are most probably genetically modified - to increase production and reduce the pests.. but here, unlike monsanto, that is not what is causing the un-sprouting!
I think you’ve got your answer above - the irradiation is the usual cause. Other factors like too much exposure to light in those stores and also the time it took from packing the beans till it reaches our homes - god knows how long it’s been sitting on which warehouse and the shelves at the markets.
I followed one of the beans-discussion in a group I used to hang out and the above is what I learned from it.. Also a suggestion from the same discussion - Ethnic beans or any other ethnic spices? Then buy from an ethnic market where it moves very fast.
Comment by Kay — August 9, 2007 @ 11:43 am
Have you a receipe for the black eyed beans when they are sprouted? They sprout fine in France
Comment by Mike Spain — September 17, 2007 @ 1:36 am
I have a receipe for horsegram sprouts that is popular in Karnataka,India…..where do i share it ?
Comment by Suman Bharat — February 6, 2008 @ 3:06 am
I tried to sprout chick peas and black eyed pes,but they never sprout i tried my best to keep up with them by rinsing regularly still no luck and i got them from indian store,
i tried second time also thinking i might have made a mistake not rinsing properly but same sitution very sticky and smell,i guess they are not imported from india
Comment by Yashwini — May 31, 2008 @ 2:03 pm