How to Germinate Brown Rice
To make its nutrients more available
In another post, I wrote about the usefulness of pre-germinated brown rice—which is sometimes called sprouted rice—in treating depression. The quick take on that post is that new mothers were randomly assigned to eat either white rice or pre-germinated brown rice. Those women receiving the pre-germinated brown rice reported better moods and less fatigue.
Pre-germinateqd brown rice:
Neutralizes phytic acid in rice that can interfere with nutrient absorption
Makes substances like GABA (gamma amino butyric acid) more available. GABA tends to have a calming affect and helps sleep and mood
Pregerminated brown rice also tastes better, many people believe, than plain brown rice.
Emerging science suggests that pregerminated brown rice may reduce the damage done by lead exposure by reducing lead absorption. It may also reduce blood glucose levels in persons suffering from Type 2 diabetes.
Equipment Needed
Glass jar. The jar does not have to be brown—a clear, Ball jar will work just fine. I bought two of them from Walmart but they are available from Amazon as well.
Metal lid with a wire screen like those pictured below: note the ring for screwing onto the mouth of the jar and the wire screen that slips into the ring. They are available on Amazon. Do not make the mistake I made and try to be cheap by covering the jar mouth with cheesecloth or paper towels. These items hold water and will result in spoiled rice.
Brown rice. A person unfamiliar with sprouting asked if I could use white rice. The answer is no. White rice has the germ removed and will not sprout.
Directions
WHEN SPROUTING OR FERMENTING, CLEANLINESS IS ESSENTIAL. SCALD UTENSILS WITH HOT WATER.
Rinse as much brown rice as you like—if you are making pregerminated brown rice for the first time, start with one cup.
Place the washed rice in the jar, cover it with water, and screw on the screened lid.
Let the rice soak in the water for twenty-four hours. Don’t try to rush this step. Soaking for less than 24 hours will not work.
After 24 hours, drain the rice. Prop the jar on its side so that excess water will continue to drain. I propped my jar inside a bowl
Rinse the rice two or three times a day for three days.
The sprouted rice will look like this:
You can see the fine threads that are a little thinner than dental floss. Those are the sprouts.
Use pregerminated brown rice in exactly the same way you would use ordinary brown rice. This rice is a little sweeter and softer than ungerminated brown rice.
Anytime you sprout or ferment something, there is a risk of bacteria growth. To be on the safe side, rinse the rice one last time and boil gently for at least forty minutes. I have made pregerminated brown rice on and off for years and have never had a problem, but the possibility exists. If you use common-sense hygiene practices, you will be fine.