Why Won't Rice Sprout?

Factors That Affect Sprouting

• Processed, instant, long-grain white rice or converted rice grains are not viable and will not sprout. Other factors that affect sprouting include growing conditions, pollution, pesticides, mold and pests. If you plan to store rice long-term, Sproutpeople.org recommends you freeze it, especially organic varieties. Rice is susceptible to pests such as the Indian meal moth and freezing will protect delicate grains.

Best Varieties for Sprouting

• According to SproutPeople.org, organic, short-, medium- and long-grain brown rice are ideal varieties to sprout at home. Other varieties that work well include red Thai, wehani, basmati and wild rice. Texmati does not sprout, according to the Living Food for Africa website. Before a sprout appears, soaked rice can be eaten but may be bland and very chewy. Once germination occurs, the root can be bitter. For this reason, some prefer to eat sprouted rice cooked.

About Wild Rice

• Wild rice grains are long, but many tend to be broken. For that reason, it rarely grows a root like brown rice. Wild rice sprouts when the hull cracks open. Of all rice varieties, wild rice is the tastiest with a mild, slightly sweet taste.

Equipment

• Wide-mouth glass canning jars work well for sprouting. Garden centers and whole foods retailers carry sprouters, which are jars with a fitted, mesh lid. If you don't want a store-bought sprouter, make a mesh cover, one with holes that allow water to pass but not rice grains. You can find mesh netting at hardware stores; gauze or coarse cheesecloth work well too.

Method

• Sprouting rice isn't difficult but it does require time, patience and a source of cool, clean water. Place rice grains into jar and add water. SproutPeople.org recommends a 3-to-1 ratio of water to rice. Soak rice for 12 to 18 hours for the first cycle. Drain, rinse and cover with fresh water. Soak another cycle. Drain, rinse and add water again. Before it germinates, brown rice will plump. According to Living Food for Africa, Wehani rice, their recommended variety, needs 1.5 days before it sprouts. Wild rice takes longer.