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Sprouts Delivery or Pickup
The Instacart guide to sprout products
About sprouts
Many different types of edible sprouts can add a delicious taste and texture to a range of salads, sandwiches, and other dishes. Sprouts are germinated seeds that can come from a variety of vegetables, and all vegetables form sprouts at some point between their seed and mature states. Not all of these are edible or palatable, but many are cultivated purely for their sprouts.
How to pick out sprouts
If you are looking for sprouts to complete a recipe or just to add some variety to your diet, then you want to know how to pick the freshest and most delicious sprouts. Depending on the type of sprout you want, you should expect them to be green and crisp without any brown or droopy sprouts.
Sprouts should be freshly picked and packed, so check the date and keep them fresh in the refrigerator.
Different types of sprouts
There are a number of popular types of sprout, each of which is used in different ways and for different purposes. These include:
- Alfalfa: These are one of the most popular types of sprout and are widely used in agriculture as well as for sprouting. Alfalfa grows from small brown seeds that begin to grow after 3-7 days when given water and placed in a warm environment, although some can sprout within 48 hours under the right conditions.
- Mung Beans: Mung beans are a popular ingredient when eaten as beans, but when they are sprouted, they grow a thick white stalk that can withstand cooking, canning, and freezing. These are often called 'bean sprouts' and used in stir-fries, egg rolls, and a wide range of other cooked dishes. These are the most commonly-used sprouts in the world, and although most are imported from China and Japan, Oklahoma is the leading producer of mung bean sprouts in the U.S.
- Red Clover: With a similar flavor to alfalfa, red clover sprouts are grown from the seeds of the commonly-found plant, which grows a distinctive purple flower when fully grown. Red clover sprouts are long and thin with small green leaves at the tip.
- Radish: Radishes are a popular salad ingredient themselves, and while the root has a peppery and spicy flavor, their sprouts have a more subtle taste. They can be lightly cooked without wilting too much and can often be found in sushi and salads.
- Snow Peas: Snow pea sprouts are sweet and give a fresh taste to any dish. Snow pea sprouts can be eaten raw, stir-fried with a range of ingredients, steamed, and made into a wide range of dishes, including soups and salads.
- Broccoli: Grown from the seeds of the common broccoli plant, broccoli sprouts are popular in the U.S for their health benefits and mild but fresh flavor.
- Wheatgrass: Known for being one of the most nutrient-rich superfoods, wheatgrass is the sprouting growth of the regular wheat plant. It is generally treated somewhat differently from other sprouts and is usually sprouted in soil rather than solely in water. While it is rarely used in its raw form, those who want to benefit from its health benefits use it in smoothies and health drinks or dried and ground up in powder or capsule form.
If you are planning a tasty and healthy salad or garnishing a special dish with some sprouts, you can order a range of items for same-day delivery. Our shoppers will select your groceries, and you can have them in your house in as little as 2 hours!
Sprouts Near Me
Buy your favorite Sprouts online with Instacart. Order Bean Sprouts, Alfalfa Sprouts, Sunflower Sprouts, and more from local and national retailers near you and enjoy on-demand, contactless delivery or pickup within 2 hours.
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FAQs about sprouts
There are numerous health benefits to eating sprouts which are a rich source of nutrients. The health benefits vary slightly between different types of sprout:
- Alfalfa: Vitamins A and C, fiber, calcium, and protein.
- Mung beans: Folate, fiber, B vitamins, antimicrobial properties, potassium.
- Radish sprouts: Folic acid, soluble fiber, vitamins A, C, and K.
- Wheatgrass: Calcium, iron, vitamins A, C, and E, magnesium, chlorophyll, amino acids.
- Chia Seed Sprouts: Calcium, magnesium, omega-3 fatty acids, fiber.
- Lentil Sprouts: Amino acids methionine and cysteine, thiamine, protein.
Sprouts are also rich in antioxidants, the chemicals that promote good physical and mental health. They help the body ward off health problems such as diabetes and heart disease and even protect against nerve damage.
Fresh is best with sprouts, so if you plan to eat your sprouts immediately, then you can just place them in the fridge in the packaging they came in until you are ready to use them. If you want to keep your sprouts for longer, then you need to rinse them thoroughly, then either gently pat them with paper towels or allow them to dry for a couple of hours. Then, place them in a lidded container that's lined with paper towels, and they can be stored in the fridge for up to a week.