Chickpeas (Cicer arietinum), also known as Garbanzo or Chana, are one of the most nutritious and protein-rich seeds. Chickpeas are also the easiest seed to sprout and are a great way to start sprouting for anyone wanting to try for the first time, taking only a few days before you can harvest delightful nutty and nutritional sprouts.

The chickpea bean is widely sown as a culinary staple throughout much of Asia, with nearly 70% of the world's production coming from India.

Chickpea sprouts are delightfully crunchy adding a new healthy twist to salads and sandwiches. Whereas Chickpea microgreens are a great addition to stir fries.

How to grow Chickpea Sprouting Seeds:

Equipment

Chickpea Sprouting Seeds

Culture

1. Make sure that the Sprouter is super clean and sterile.
2. Place the seeds in the bottom of the Sprouter (no grid tray in place).
3. Cover the seeds with tepid water. Stir the seeds to ensure that all the seeds get soaked, a vital process for smaller seeds. (Use water that is at room temperature, water that is either too hot or too cold can shock the seeds and also slow the germination process).
Don't put too much seed in the tray, allow the seed sufficient room to expand… insufficient space will lead to mould issues as air cannot circulate sufficiently.
4. After the initial soak of 8-12 hours, skim off any floating seeds, empty the water by using the grid tray, so that the seeds get caught in the grid, the seeds should be left damp and not swimming in water. Drain as much of the water as possible.
NOTE - if using small seeds then the Bamboo paper needs to be placed on top of the grid otherwise the seeds will fall through the grid tray!
5. Place grid tray with seeds in the Sprouter and cover with clear lid.
6. Rinse 2-3 times per day with room temperature water, by running water through the seeds on the grid tray. Use lots of water and if possible, rinse under high-pressure water. Drain as much of the water as possible.
7. Chickpea's don't need light to germinate so you can keep them in a low light environment. Growing in light may make them taste bitter
8. Continue rinse cycle until harvest.
9. Let the sprouts sit for 8-12 hours after their final rinse and extremely thorough drain before refrigerating them.

Hulls may be removed but they are not harmful to eat, removal helps to minimise spoilage in storage.

Culture for growing Chickpeas as a Microgreen

Soak the seeds for 24 hours. Rinse and drain.

1. Sow your seeds directly on thoroughly moistened medium in a tray with holes, place in another tray without holes
2. Place in a low lit location
3. Keep the medium moist by watering lightly as needed. Don't drench!
4. Harvest when the leaves are 2.5cm - 5cm tall, around day 7-10,using scissors or a sharp knife and cut just above the medium

Did You Know?

We now stock growing essentials for Microgeen and Sprouting growers, you can find the full range

Feeling daunted by the world of Microgreens and Sprouting and don't know where to start...then why not have a look at our starter kits for inspiration:

And don't forget to join our Microgreen Club and enjoy year-round benefits