So I put 8 bag seeds in between damp paper towels and put it on a plate and covered it with another And then put it in a dark cupboard, as suggested by many guides. But after research it seems that the cup of distilled water. I also used tap water on the paper towels. So basically, can I switch to the cup, it's been about 20 hours since I started the 8 bag seed (5 look like great candidates).
i would not worry about it, and just plant them into the medium. i also use vermicompost at 10-20 % of the seeds soil to increase germination rate's and protect from fungus and pathogens.
id stick with the paper towel method imo, the seeds like some underheat aswell so if you could sit the plate ontop of something warm