What is "bean sprout"

alt. 1 (context chiefly in the plural English) A sprout of the mung bean. 2 (context chiefly in the plural English) A sprout of any of several other species of bean n. 1 (context chiefly in the plural English) A sprout of the mung bean. 2 (context chiefly in the plural English) A sprout of any of several other species of bean

n. any of various sprouted beans: especially mung beans or lentils or edible soybeans

Bean sprouts are a common ingredient, especially in Eastern Asian cuisine, made from sprouting beans.

The typical bean sprout is made from the greenish-capped mung beans. Other common bean sprouts are the usually yellow, larger-grained soy sprouts. It typically takes one week for them to be completely grown. The sprouted beans are more nutritious than the original beans and they require much less cooking time and, therefore, less energy.