Seeds that have been germinated and grown for 2-7 days until they develop a small shoot and root. Common varieties include mung bean, alfalfa, and broccoli sprouts used in salads and stir-fries.
From Middle English 'sprouten,' from Old English 'sprūtan' meaning 'to sprout or shoot forth.' The culinary use of sprouts dates back thousands of years in Asian cuisines.
Sprouts were actually used by Chinese sailors over 5,000 years ago to prevent scurvy during long voyages - centuries before anyone understood vitamin C! Captain Cook later adopted this practice, carrying mung bean sprouts on his Pacific expeditions.
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