What Is the Germination Time for Bean Sprouts?

Varieties

• Edible sprouts grow from a wide variety of beans. Some of the most popular varieties of beans sprouted at home are mung beans, soybeans, lentils and garbanzo beans. Avoid sprouting large beans like fava, kidney, lima, navy or pinto at home.

Germination

• Once the beans have soaked for 8 to 14 hours, been rinsed and set in their growing environment, the seeds should germinate within 24 hours. The bean sprouts reach their peak flavor at about 36 hours from germination.

Uses

• Protein-rich bean sprouts are an excellent addition to salads and sandwiches. However, the raw sprouts can cause stomach distress for people sensitive to beans. Bean sprouts can be steamed or cooked into soups, stews, stir-fries and casseroles to lessen their effects on the digestive system.