Nearly 30 years ago, scientists at the Johns Hopkins University discovered that sulforaphane, a compound derived from broccoli, induces a host of cellular enzymes that protect our bodies from a wide range of diseases, including cancer, cardiovascular disease, and Alzheimer's disease. They soon learned that sulforaphane is an artifact of isolation – the byproduct of a chemical reaction between an enzyme called myrosinase and a precursor molecule called glucoraphanin.

But it was a later discovered –that broccoli sprouts contain 10 to 100 times more glucoraphanin than mature broccoli – that catapulted these diminutive plants into the limelight of the nutrition world and sent many nutrition-minded people on a quest to sprout their own.

"Broccoli sprouts contain up to 100 times more glucoraphanin, the precursor to sulforaphane, than mature broccoli." Click To Tweet

Sprouting is the natural process by which seeds germinate. Seeds in the wild do it all the time with little effort. Sprouting for the purpose of consuming sprouts, however, requires a bit of finesse and some time and dedication. It also requires a big dose of food safety awareness. That's because seeds are organic products and inherently dirty.

In this instructional episode, we show you all the basics of sprouting broccoli, including:

• The supplies you need to grow broccoli sprouts, like sprouting jars and lids
• How to prepare broccoli seeds, especially when it comes to sterilization
• The steps involved in sprouting broccoli seeds, such as soaking and rinsing, how long you should wait before harvesting broccoli sprouts, and how you should store them.

You can apply these basics to sprouting nearly any kind of seed. But it's important to note that some seeds, such as oats, are nearly impossible to sprout, and others, such as those of tomatoes, peppers, and related plants, yield toxic sprouts that should not be eaten.

The video serves as a companion to our 15-page Sprouting Guide + Q&A with Dr. Jed Fahey – an illustrated manual to the basics of sprouting that includes a brief summary of the science of sulforaphane plus insights from one of the top researchers in the field of chemoprotection.

For even more information about sulforaphane and sprouting, check out these FMF resources:

• Q&A episode featuring renowned guest, Dr. Jed Fahey, one of the world's leading experts on sulforaphane.

• Podcast interview: Jed Fahey, ScD, on Isothiocyanates, the Nrf2 Pathway, Moringa, & Sulforaphane Supplementation

• Podcast interview: New Omega-3, sulforaphane research, and more! [Dr. Rhonda Patrick on the Kevin Rose Show]

• Episode: How sulforaphane benefits human health

• Sprouting resources: Amazon and other online retailers carry an abundance of sprouting supplies, like these easy-to-clean, rust-free jars used in the video. (Disclaimer: FMF does not benefit from the sale of these jars.)