what is sprouts?

[SoothingDave]

I'm in the US, and if I heard "sprouts" I would think Brussels.

[riquecohen]

In the US, sprouts usually refers to alfalfa or beansprouts, but if you were looking for them in a market, you'd have to be specific. Brussels sprouts are always referred to by their complete name.

I'm in the US, and if I heard "sprouts" I would think Brussels.

It's interesting that regional differences exist even within a few hundred miles of each other. I clearly made too general a statement. I'll amend that to read "In New York..."

[Barb_D]

As 5jj says, context, context, context.

If you were in a sandwich shop, surely you would think bean spouts.
If you were talking about a side for dinner, you would think those little nasty cabbage balls.

Right?

(Perhaps you would characterize the other kind differently.)

[5jj]

I agree with Barb - apart from her use of the word 'nasty'. Properly prepared, they are a fine vegetable.

[BobSmith]

To me (mid-west US, EST) "sprouts" would never mean brussel sprouts, always beansprouts. In fact, it never dawned on me that brussel sprouts were sprouts!

Oh, and yuck to bean, yum to brussel

[emsr2d2]

Yum to both in my opinion provided that:

1) The beansprouts are very fresh and not at all slimy and are served raw
2) The Brussels sprouts are fresh and simply steamed for about 4 minutes leaving them crunchy and bright green. Never boiled!

I do find myself wondering why Brussels sprouts are called "sprouts" instead of "mini cabbages" or something.