Grow Organic Methi (Fenugreek) sprouts in-house

What is Methi?

The botanical name for Methi (Fenugreek) is Trigonella foenum-graecum belonging to the family Fabaceae, with leaves consisting of three small obovate to oblong leaflets. It is cultivated worldwide as a semiarid crop. Its seeds and its leaves are common ingredients in dishes from South Asia.

Can Methi be grown indoor or outdoor?

Growing Methi is very easy, no matter which part of the world you live. It can be grown indoors or outdoors and also either in soil, sand, cotton or just in a plastic strainer. You can grow it on windowsills in small containers, or on your balcony or open terrace in a flower pot or in your backyard in soil.

Just a point to remember that it does not like to be transplanted from one place to another or from pot to soil, so keep growing them wherever you have sown them.

Health benefits and Uses of Methi:

The health benefits and uses of Methi (seeds as well as sprouts and leaves) are multifold. It can be also used as an alterntive treatment for e.g.

• digestive problems such as loss of appetite, upset stomach, constipation, inflammation of the stomach (gastritis);
• controlling glucose metabolism in diabetes type II;
• lower cholesterol, etc

How to grow methi?

1. Soak 1/4 cup of fenugreek seeds in a bowl for 24 hours*;

2. Spread it out on a plastic strainer and place one vessel below the strainer*

3. Sprinkle water on the seeds twice a day (Morning and evening) for around 1.5 to 2 weeks or till the desired length has been reached. At times, it may seem that from top it may look that the methi has not grown but not to worry. Also before you sprinkle water, throw away all water that is collected in the bottom bowl;

If you lift up the strainer, you will see that some sprouts have come out of the strainer at the bottom.4. Once the desired length has reached invert the strainer into a big vessel (see picture below) and gently rinse the sprouts. The sprouts become a little slimy as they are moist for along period of time*.

5. Once you finish washing them, the methi is now ready to be cut and cooked

I have two strainer and always grow methi every week. Its one of the standard diet in my household.

Enjoy organic homegrown methi.

Note:

• 1/4 cup of fenugreek seeks = 6 cups of medium cut fenugreek sprouts;
• For soaking the seeds you can use any bowl. I use steel bowl;
• Do not use metal strainer as it will rust;
• Placing a vessal beneath the strainer helps in building up heat which will help in seed germination and sprouting;
• It may take from 1.5 to 2 weeks for the fenugreek sprouts to grow to a length of your palm. Also the room temperature plays a big role in how fast the methi grows and can vary from house to house. My house temperature is always set to around 22-23 degrees.
• If you try to grow methi longer than your palm or if your house temperature is too warm, then the sprouts may start rotting as its not potted in soil/sand. However, after a couple of sprouts you will come to know  how long you can keep in the strainer before consuming it.