Sprouts and Tender Shoots

Abstract

Written by a biologist specializing in environmental science, this article presents sprouts and tender shoots as a household food self-sufficiency strategy against food insecurity. The author explains the biological process of germination, whereby seeds convert starches into simple sugars, increasing their enzymatic and vitamin content, and reviews the historical use of this practice from the Sumerians to its use on sea voyages to prevent scurvy. The text presents a practical guide for growing sprouts and tender shoots at home, highlighting the latter's high chlorophyll content, and calls for linking this practice to institutional food-security programs such as MANA.