Introduction: In our daily lives, we often eat peanuts, and health articles in the past have frequently mentioned the many benefits of eating peanuts for the human body. A while ago, a reader asked: Can you eat sprouted peanuts? In this issue, we have invited Chen Yunbin, a senior public nutritionist, to answer our questions about peanut sprouts:
Peanuts that have sprouted naturally due to moisture cannot be eaten.
Usually, when we say peanuts cannot be eaten, we are referring to moldy peanuts, because moldy peanuts produce aflatoxin, which is extremely toxic and carcinogenic. Peanuts sprouting is different from mold; it does not produce toxic substances. In the South, there is no custom of eating sprouted peanuts, but in the North, some people like to eat peanut sprouts, just like they eat mung bean or soybean sprouts.
However, when eating sprouted peanuts, you must pay close attention to whether they have become moldy. Both sprouting and mold grow under conditions of high moisture content in peanuts. Although they are not causally related, there is still a chance that sprouted peanuts could be infected with aflatoxin. Therefore, if it is artificially sprouted peanuts, there is no problem; if it is moldy and sprouted due to being left for too long and getting damp, it is absolutely inedible.
Peanuts are easily infected with *Aspergillus flavus*, and once a peanut has become moldy, it cannot be eaten. If you see mold on the surface of the peanuts or notice an unusual odor, it means they cannot be eaten.
Braised Peanuts
Self-sprouted peanut sprouts are very nutritious.
Peanut sprouts look very similar to bean sprouts, pure white as jade. They are more nutritious and have a better taste than peanuts.
Research has found that the resveratrol content in peanut sprouts is 100 times higher than in peanuts, and dozens or even hundreds of times higher than in wine. It has effects such as inhibiting cancer cells, lowering blood lipids, preventing cardiovascular diseases, and delaying aging, making it extremely high in health value.
Moreover, sprouting can break down the protein in peanuts into amino acids, which is beneficial for human absorption; the oil is converted into heat, and the fat content is greatly reduced, so people who are afraid of obesity can eat it with confidence. At the same time, it is rich in vitamins and minerals such as potassium, calcium, iron, and zinc, as well as various amino acids needed by the human body, and is known as the "longevity fruit sprout".
Grow peanut sprouts yourself
When selecting peanuts, choose white-skinned ones that are plump and full, without any dents or deformities.
Soak the selected peanuts in clean water for half a day to a day to allow them to fully absorb water and swell. Remove them and rinse with clean water 2-3 times. Place them in a sterilized seed tray, cover the surface of the tray with a black plastic film to keep it warm and moist. Spray water 4-5 times a day to wet the sprouts completely. Excess water should flow out from the bottom of the tray. Water should not accumulate in the tray, otherwise the sprouts will rot.
During the growth of peanut sprouts, they must always be kept in the dark. Cover with a black plastic film to block out light after sowing. Then place a wooden board on top of the sprouts to give them some pressure, which can make the sprouts grow plump and strong. Generally, at room temperature, a batch of sprouts can be harvested in about 8 days.
The harvesting time is when the cotyledons have not fully unfolded, the seed coat has not yet fallen off, the hypocotyl is thick, white, and tender, as thick as a chopstick, about 2 cm long, and when roots begin to appear.
Rich and Creamy Peanut Butter
Delicious Dish: Stir-fried Peanut Sprouts
Cooking Steps
1. Remove the roots and skins from fresh peanut sprouts, rinse them clean with water, and break the peanut sprouts into one-inch segments with your hands. Bring water to a boil in a pot, add a small spoonful of salt, blanch the peanut sprouts for about half a minute, then remove and drain.
2. Prepare green onions, ginger, garlic, green chilies, and red chilies, and rinse them clean. Shred the green chilies, red chilies, and ginger separately. Chop the green onions and garlic into small pieces.
3. Heat a pan, pour in sunflower oil, add a few Sichuan peppercorns to fry until fragrant, then remove and discard. Then add the shredded ginger and the green and red chili strips and stir-fry. Add the peanut sprouts to the pan and stir-fry over high heat. Add a little salt, sugar, and minced garlic and stir-fry a few times. Before turning off the heat, drizzle in a little sesame oil, serve on a plate, and sprinkle with chopped green onions. It is ready to eat.
Beef with Peanut Sprouts
Beef-sprouts
Phalogen peanuts
The apricot