We tried: Passion Santé, the sprouter that has more than one trick up its sleeve.

A few weeks ago, we had the chance to try out Passion Santé 's truly versatile sprouter to produce small fresh and crunchy sprouts in the comfort of our apartment.

Sprouting: what is it?

For those who are not familiar with germination, it consists of germinating various seeds in order to consume the young shoot. The process is summarized in a step of soaking and a second of periodic watering, during which the growth takes place.

The possibilities are almost limitless, since all seeds and whole grains have the ability to germinate. Some are more difficult or take longer to germinate than others, but anything is possible (ah, the force of nature!). Sprouting novices are often advised to start with alfalfa, clover or radish, but it is possible to literally take anything that comes to hand: chickpeas, broccoli, buckwheat, barley, and so on. Do you know that you can also sprout nuts? Clearly, germination has no limit! You will also find, on the Health Passion website, a global list of shoots that can be produced, as well as the soaking and germination times attributed to them.

The other fundamental question: where to find seeds and grains to germinate? As mentioned above, you can first take a quick look in your pantry to find a dry grain that will do the trick. At the grocery store, you can also buy it directly from the grain section. Otherwise, health food stores often have a fairly complete range of seeds specifically to sprout, where you can find vegetables and herbs such as broccoli, basil and cabbage, as well as mixtures such as the famous "Sandwich Booster”, composed of clover, radish, mustard and alfalfa, perfect to add to our lunch boxes.

Note that the young shoot of a vegetable or herb usually tastes very similar or identical to its mature equivalent, which is both delicious and impressive! In salads or appetizers, it always adds a touch of magic!

The Passion Health sprouter

First, the sprouter is made up of several essential parts that greatly simplify the task, unlike other methods such as the inverted glass jar. The basic set , which we had the chance to test, is made up of a perforated base and lid, an unperforated base and lid, and a very comprehensive instruction sheet.

We personally opted for the following for testing purposes:

• sprouting seed mix;
• peas;
• broccoli;
• radish.

Advice from someone who's been caught more than once: Note that before starting a germination process, you need to be sure you can complete it. Sprouting is, as I like to simplify, a temporary pet. And a young shoot is like a baby: it requires a lot of attention. Thus, if you plan to be absent for 2 days, your shoots become at risk, since they will then not be watered at the appropriate time, which can cause their loss.

We must therefore first ensure that our ingredient benefits from the soaking time required for its rehydration to be optimal. Like any seed, it needs water to “wake up” and germinate. The Passion Santé sprouter is designed to carry out all the stages of the process. Soaking can be done by placing the seeds in the perforated base, then placing it inside the sealed container and putting the lid on.

Thus, at the rinsing stage, which is usually done twice a day (morning and evening, to simplify), all you have to do is remove the perforated base and rinse the mixture directly above the sink without pouring anything whether it be. What follows involves a delicate harmony between watering and growth. During these few days, the perforated base is placed in the non-perforated base, and the perforated cover is affixed to it in order to ensure a certain evaporation of the water and a circulation of the air to allow the small plants to breathe.

Rinsing is in my opinion the most critical step. It must be rinsed sufficiently, without however breaking the germs. Small white rootlets may appear, but this is not mold. If, however, your mixture begins to give off a strong odor or is covered with foam, then unfortunately it is spoiled.

Once the growth is complete, which often lasts between two and ten days, it is then necessary to rinse one last time properly, then replace the perforated lid with the non-perforated lid before putting everything in the refrigerator. The sprouts can then be eaten within a few days.

Here is a little trick that I discovered, especially while talking with Caroline Pomerleau, owner of the company. Sprouts intended for potting soil, that is to say those which grow in height, can be carried out without problem in the Passion Santé germinator. Just rinse them with infinite delicacy (a trickle of tap water or a small fine watering can), and the roots of the germs will attach themselves to the perforations of the perforated container. This will allow them to grow in height and reach the height of the germinator, about ten centimeters in height.

Next project: tofu!

If you get the complete set , which also includes a small cotton bag for tofu and a large cotton bag for vegetable milk, you can make your purchase even more profitable. Indeed, the Passion Santé sprouter is precisely designed to make its own tofu, given its shape. Considering the shortage of tofu that has been going on for a few months, it is then possible to remedy it yourself at home. If you have a blender or a food processor, then you can easily complete the few steps and proudly enjoy your vegetable milk or your handmade tofu and with love thanks to the recipes provided by Passion santé .

In short, we strongly advise you to equip yourself with this versatile tool to allow you to take up new challenges combining cooking and gardening!

Reviewed by Marie-Pascale