How Can I Know What Went Wrong With My Sprouts?

Is the problem that the seed didn't sprout?

Have you filled a sprouting jar or a germinator with the optimal proportion of seeds and water?

Have the sprouts developed mold or rotted?

Does the mold disappear when you rinsing your sprouts?

Is the room temperature above 85°F?

Have you been rinsing and draining your sprouts daily?

Do the sprouts taste bitter?

Are there any fruit flies flying around your sprouts?

If you are sprouting soaks like almond, sunflower or pumpkin seeds, know that they will not germinate fully, they will just swell and soften.

Too little water or too many seeds in a jar can cause seeds not to sprout. The optimal proportion of water/seed amount is usually written on a seed packet. Spread the seeds out evenly at the start of the process, and after each rinse. Make sure you soak seeds overnight and rinse and drain them twice a day.

Your sprouts aren’t moldy, you’re just seeing the fine root hairs that look a lot like mold. The water makes the fuzz fall back against the main root until they dry out again. You can also tell the difference between mold and fine root hairs by the smell, mold should have an unpleasant smell.

High room temperatures can cause sprouts to become moldy. Make sure the room temperature does not rise above 85°F.

Dirty germinator or a sprouting jar can cause rotted sprouts. After every soak-rinse-drain routine, clean your jar or germinator thoroughly.

Insufficient rinsing and draining can cause sprouts to go moldy. Rinse your sprouts at least 2 times a day and drain them well after every rinse - you shouldn't have problems after that.

You probably left the sprouts for too long in a sprouting jar before consuming them. For a sweeter taste, you should harvest sprouts a little earlier.

Fruit flies will often appear near sprouting jars or germinators during summertime. This does not mean your sprouts have gone bad yet, but you need to make sure the flies stay away from the sprouts. Use fly traps around your jars or use cloth instead of the sprouting lid on the jar.

If your sprouts have an unpleasant smell, you might have waited to consume them for too long. In general, sprouts can stay fresh for around a week in the fridge when stored properly.