Growing and eating sprouts can be done at home any time of the year. The custom of sprouting beans is more than twice as old as the Wall of China. Widely practiced in far eastern countries, a Chinese emperor recorded the use of health-giving sprouts in 2439 BC. Today, with the exception of natural or health food advocates, the majority of Americans are either unfamiliar with sprouts or are exposed to them only through Chinese cuisine. This is a shame because the nutritional quality of the proteins found in legumes and grains is greatly improved during sprouting.