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I've sprouted mung beans (many times) and a few other seeds successfully. I understand the process well. I've now tried sprouting soybeans a number of times but I can't make it past soaking.

After soaking them overnight, I found the beans were soft almost to the point where I could mash them between thumb and finger. Most of the skins had come loose which I expected but quite a few beans had also separated into halves. The first time, I carefully picked through them, trying to remove obvious non-sproutable ones. After the first rinsing, it was hopeless and I tossed them. I bought fresh beans at a different places thinking it might've been a fluke but the same thing happened.

I got thinking and wonder if the soybeans may have been heat treated to prevent sprouting. Monsanto has GMO soybeans but I have no idea if the majority of soybeans sold in stores are theirs. Monsanto zealously guards their products by legal means and it made me wonder if they also guard against consumers growing their seeds by heat treating, in this case at least.

Has anyone an idea if that might be the reason I can't get beyond the soaking stage? If so, I'll buy some non-GMO soybeans from a health food store. If anyone has had success, please let me know. I've bought soybean sprouts from a Chinese market before but the closest one that sells them is at least an hour drive away.

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Doing some further searching and reading, it seems soybeans are heat treated to prevent sprouting. How much Monsanto has to do with this, I don't know. They are the main suppliers of non-organic soybeans.

Next time I visit my Vietnamese grocer, I'll check if they have soybeans specifically meant for sprouting.

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  • You might also try buying soybean seeds from a seed supplier (possibly one that specializes in heirloom or organic seeds). I have one that I use that definitely has soybeans in their catalog; I am hesitant to recommend them only to avoid blatant advertising (I've always been happy with the seeds I have received and the company in general).
    – Chris Macksey
    Commented Apr 7, 2017 at 0:36
  • Thanks, Chris but buying a regular supply for sprouting would get very pricey fast! But the suggestion is good if I only planned it occasionally.
    – Jude
    Commented Apr 7, 2017 at 0:51
  • Looks like the place I use sells soy specifically for sprouting; I am from Canada, so the the cost is ~C$15/kg. Not sure if that fits your budget. With heirloom (non-hybrid, non-GMO) soy seeds, you also would have the option to just let them go to seed also.
    – Chris Macksey
    Commented Apr 7, 2017 at 15:09
  • Also in Canada about hour from Vancouver. I'm sure I'd find choices there but hate driving in as traffic and ongoing road repairs are nuts. Besides, I hate shopping. Got to be a more local source but got to do some phoning.
    – Jude
    Commented Apr 7, 2017 at 18:45
  • Haha the place I use is in Delta, so that is pretty close to your neck of the woods :-) I order via mail, so it comes to me.
    – Chris Macksey
    Commented Apr 8, 2017 at 19:38

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