T
The Daily Insight

Why do bean sprouts taste bitter

Author

Emily Cortez

Published Feb 21, 2026

Why do sprouts taste bitter?

A 2011 study by Cornwall College found that sprouts contain a chemical, similar to phenylthiocarbamide, which only tastes bitter to people who have a variation of a certain gene. The research found that around 50 per cent of the world’s population have a mutation on this gene.

Is it safe to eat bitter sprouts?

Sprouts and Food Poisoning

Eating sprouts can help promote good health. Unfortunately, they can also cause food poisoning when consumed raw or even lightly cooked. This is because bacteria can thrive in a warm, humid environment and sprouts are grown in these conditions.

What do bad bean sprouts taste like?

If you notice any sign of molds, such as a white fuzzy layer on the surface, that means that your sprouts have gone bad. Bean sprouts have a delightful taste. If they taste a bit sour, then avoid using them. Change in the taste of the product is one of the most common signs of spoilage.

How do you know if bean sprouts are bad?

Throw away any sprouts that are past their best-before date or that have lost their crispness, look wilted or smell musty.

Which sprouts are toxic?

The FDA says people most at risk from foodborne illness — children, the elderly, enceinte women and anyone with a weakened immune system — should avoid eating raw sprouts of any kind, including alfalfa, clover, radish and mung bean sprouts.

How long do you cook bean sprouts for?

Sauté the bean sprouts over medium heat for 3 to 5 minutes.

Stir them often with a wooden spatula as they fry, otherwise they won’t cook often. They are ready when they start to turn translucent and golden. This will take about 3 to 5 minutes. Be careful not to overcook them, however, or they will start to turn mushy.

Can you get food poisoning from sprouts?

Cook sprouts thoroughly to reduce the chance of food poisoning. … Eating raw or lightly cooked sprouts, such as alfalfa, bean, or any other sprout, may lead to food poisoning from Salmonella, E. coli, or Listeria. Thoroughly cooking sprouts kills the harmful germs and reduces the chance of food poisoning.

Can old bean sprouts make you sick?

Like any fresh produce that is consumed raw or lightly cooked, sprouts can carry a risk of foodborne illness if they are contaminated. Unlike other fresh produce, the warm, moist conditions required to grow sprouts are ideal for the rapid growth of bacteria, including salmonella, listeria, and E.

Do bean sprouts taste sour?

The most common objection leveled at sprouts is that they have a bitter taste, a trait that is easily avoided and far from characteristic of the sprout community as a whole.

How do you know when bean sprouts are cooked?

Lightly stir the sprouts to make them cook evenly for about 3-5 minutes. Eat them while they are still warm. Bean sprouts are quick to be cooked. If you overcook them, they will lose their crispness and become very soggy.

Are bean sprouts safe to eat?

Raw bean sprouts are safe to eat, but the warm, moist conditions they are typically grown in can increase bacterial growth. Children, the elderly, enceinte women and people with compromised immune systems may want to avoid eating bean sprouts, especially uncooked ones.

Why shouldnt you eat raw bean sprouts?

This is because raw bean sprouts can be contaminated with bacteria which carries a high risk of foodborne illness. Bean sprouts are grown in warm, moist conditions that are ideal for the rapid growth of bacteria such as Salmonella, E. coli and Listeria.

How do you make bean sprouts last longer?

If you need to keep them longer than a couple of days, try storing them submerged in a covered container of ice water in the refrigerator, changing the water and adding more ice daily. This can prolong their life for up to 5 days.

Should bean sprouts be cooked?

What are beansprouts? … The NHS currently advises only eating raw beansprouts if they’re labelled ‘ready to eat’; all other sprouts should be cooked thoroughly until steaming hot throughout. People in vulnerable groups are advised to cook all sprouts until steaming hot throughout before eating.

How do you refresh bean sprouts?

Using large bowl or pot, fill it will cold water, soak your bean sprouts. After about 30 minutes the bean sprouts will perk up and be ready to use. When ready to use, drain and rinse well with cold water. Remove and discard any crushed and old/dark bean sprouts.

How long do sprouts last in the refrigerator?

How Long Should Sprouts Last? Depending on how you grow them, wash them, and store them, sprouts should last at least two weeks in the fridge. Remember, they are not like any other produce you could buy off the shelf. They are alive, still growing, and full of nutrition.

Can u freeze bean sprouts?

CAN I FREEZE BEAN SPROUTS? You can, but I don’t recommend it because I hate soggy bean sprouts. The texture deteriorates once you freeze them. They do last indefinitely when you freeze them, but I don’t want to use soggy bean sprouts in my salad or stir-fry.

How do you store sprouts in the fridge?

Seal the dry sprouts in an airtight plastic container or produce bag. Place the bag in the refrigerator. If your sprouts are still slightly damp, poke a few holes in the plastic bag to let them dry and place them in the refrigerator. Once they do dry, seal them in a new, airtight bag.

How do you store sprouts after they sprout?

To store the sprouts, drain them very well, the place them in the fridge in a lidded container lined with paper towels. They will keep for at least a week, but once you’ve tried fresh sprouts they probably won’t last that long! And once your batch is done, it’s the perfect time to start another!

Why are my bean sprouts brown?

To Store. After you have finished growing mung bean sprouts, rinse the sprouts thoroughly with water and let them dry completely. … After about a week, the bean sprouts will begin to wilt and turn brown.

Can you freeze radish sprouts?

Be careful not to freeze the sprouts – the little ones are especially easy to freeze. Since cool air falls you can put your sprouts – in a bag – on the bottom of a container (like an ice bucket), cover the bag with a few layers of newspaper or the like and put ice on top of that.

What happens if I eat sprouts daily?

Sprouts May Improve Heart Health

Including sprouts in your daily diet may also have benefits for your heart. That’s mainly because sprouts may reduce risk factors for heart disease, such as high blood cholesterol levels.

Why do you have to rinse sprouts?

Keeping the seeds/sprouts moist allows them to germinate, and rinsing them frequently helps keep bacteria from growing. Completely drain your seeds/sprouts after each rinse. Rinsing is key to safety. Standing water can lead to mold and bacteria so get rid of the excess.