Finding bean sprouts in the grocery store has become a bit more challenging in recent times. Let’s explore the different options for purchasing bean sprouts and understand why fresh ones are harder to come by.
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Where to Find Bean Sprouts in the Grocery Store
If you’re scouring the fresh produce section, you may be wasting your time. But don’t worry, I’ll explain why later. So, what about canned bean sprouts? Shouldn’t they be with the other canned vegetables?
Well, sometimes they are, depending on the store. However, generally, bean sprouts are considered an ethnic food, primarily used in Asian dishes. Therefore, big chain grocery stores often have a designated aisle for ethnic foods. The contents of this aisle depend on the demographics of the area you live in.
In this special aisle, you’ll find a delightful array of flavorful and fascinating foods. You might even want to try tamales or pig’s feet someday. Anyway, if you’re searching for canned bean sprouts, look for them near other Asian foods in the ethnic aisle. If you can’t find them there, check further down the aisle near the canned greens.
How Bean Sprouts are Sold
When it comes to bean sprouts, there are two types to consider: fresh and canned. The most popular varieties in most places include soybeans, alfalfa, and mung bean sprouts.
Fresh Sprouts
Finding fresh bean sprouts is quite a challenge nowadays, especially in big chain grocery stores. There are two main reasons for this, which I’ll discuss after covering canned sprouts. However, if you manage to find fresh ones, you’ll typically find them in the produce department alongside other greens and fresh herbs.
Canned Sprouts
The majority of bean sprouts available today come in cans. They are packed with water and salt, and ascorbic acid is added to preserve their color. Some brands also include citric acid as an additional preservative.
Compared to fresh sprouts, canned ones are more affordable, usually costing around $1.50 for a 14-ounce can. You can find canned sprouts at almost all grocery stores. In case you can’t find them at your favorite shop, consider talking to the manager and requesting that they stock them.
La Choy Bean Sprouts is one of the most common brands available in many stores. However, if you’re unable to find bean sprouts at the grocery store, you can always turn to online retailers like Amazon. Just remember that delivery may take a couple of days. In the meantime, you can use boiled cabbage strips or carrots as substitutes in most recipes.
Where to Buy Bean Sprouts
You can find canned bean sprouts in almost all chain grocery stores. Smaller stores may not carry them since they aren’t high in demand. If you do come across them in a smaller store, make sure to check the expiration date on the can.
For a wider variety of sprouts, Asian stores are your best bet. They usually have a more extensive selection. So, take the opportunity to explore an Asian market’s sprout offerings.
Unfortunately, chain markets no longer sell fresh sprouts. Selling them was never a favorite choice for these stores, primarily because sprouts tend to wilt quickly, and customers prefer fresh and crispy ones. Additionally, there have been issues with contaminated alfalfa sprouts. The warm and moist environment required for sprouting beans also creates a breeding ground for bacteria, including potentially harmful ones like E. coli and Salmonella.
To ensure customer safety and stay ahead of government regulations, grocery stores made the decision to stop selling fresh sprouts. However, if you’re determined to find fresh ones, your best chance is to visit a Korean market.
If you can’t find fresh bean sprouts but still want a similar texture and taste, thinly sliced celery can serve as a substitute. Just remember, if you do find fresh bean sprouts, don’t consume them if they feel slimy or emit an unusual odor.
In conclusion, armed with this knowledge, it’s time to head to your local grocery store and embark on your bean sprout quest! Remember, if you have any other questions or need more information, you can visit 5 WS for further assistance.
