Sprout Fail

Again today I'm having to censor photos to avoid grossing you out.  This time, I didn't bother taking photos of the grossness so that I wouldn't have to look at it either.

Here's what I thought: Alfalfa sprouts are yummy.  Alfalfa sprouts were easy.  Arugula sprouts are even yummier.  Arugula sprouts must be easy.  I will try Arugula sprouts.

I got the same brand of arugula (rocket) as I'd used with such good results for the alfalfa.  The packet recommended trays but since the trays were sold along side the packets, I didn't pay much attention.  I liked the accessibility and absence of any specialized equipment in the jar method so I used that instead.  Bad idea.

Arugula sprouts might be easy to grow... but not in a jar.  I should have done a little more research because it turns out arugula are a mucilaginous seed, which means when it gets wet it forms a gel around itself.  It's a nice trick for the plant but it makes a big mess in the jar.  First they just formed a gooey mass.  Then the mass turned hard.  Eventually they started sprouting but the gel held the water so they didn't drain properly after rinsing and they got stinky.  I rinsed more often but they got really stinky.  I finally just threw the whole batch out.  YUCK.

Now I've discovered that you can grow arugula sprouts in a sprouting tray or on a solid medium.  I don't know if I'll buy the trays to do that.  They aren't expensive but sometimes I feel my kitchen is being overrun with gadgets.  I read one website that says you can add less than 10% of a mucilaginous seed to a regular seed and make a mix that will work with the jar method.  If I try it I'll let you know... but after a few days of the yuckiness, I'm not sure if I want to risk it!