Buzz
Nuts are packed with nutrients, fiber, protein, and essential vitamins and minerals. Soaking nuts before consumption can enhance the bioavailability of nutrients, making them even more beneficial for your health. This process is also essential for preparing nut-based milks and butters. Fortunately, soaking nuts is a straightforward process, requiring only nuts, water, and salt.
Ingredients:
Soaked Nuts Method
- 4 cups (560 g) of almonds or other nuts
- Water (enough to cover the nuts)
- 1 tablespoon (19 g) of salt
Sprouting Guide
- ½ cup (100 g) of lentils or other seeds, grains, or legumes
- Water (enough to cover)
- ½ teaspoon (3 g) of salt
Steps:
How to Soak Nuts
Soak the nuts in lukewarm water: Place your nuts in a large bowl and cover them with lukewarm water. Ensure the nuts are fully submerged, adding an extra 2 inches (5 cm) of water. Sprinkle salt over the nuts and stir to distribute it evenly.
- You can soak any quantity of nuts using this method, adding 1 tablespoon (19 g) of salt for every 4 cups of nuts.
- This method can also be used for soaking seeds, beans, grains, and legumes.
Soaking the Nuts: Different types of nuts require varying soaking durations. If uncertain, soak them for 12 to 24 hours in a cool, dark place. The recommended soaking times are:
- Almonds and Brazil nuts: 12 hours
- Hazelnuts, pecans, walnuts, and pine nuts: 8 hours
- Cashews: 6 hours
- Macadamia nuts: 4 hours
Drain and Rinse: After the nuts have soaked for the recommended time, drain them using a strainer. Rinse them thoroughly under cold water.
- Once rinsed, spread them on a clean towel to remove excess water.
Dehydrating the Nuts: While you can eat the soaked nuts as they are, dehydrating them removes moisture, resulting in a crunchier texture. To dehydrate them, either use a dehydrator or roast them in the oven on the lowest setting.
- Spread the nuts evenly on dehydrator trays and set them in the dehydrator.
- Turn on the dehydrator to 150°F (66°C).
- Dehydrate the nuts for 12 hours, adjusting for additional time for crunchier results.
Enjoying and Storing: Place the dehydrated nuts in an airtight container and store them in the refrigerator for up to two weeks. For longer shelf life, freeze them for up to two months.
- If you choose not to dehydrate the nuts, refrigerate them and consume within 24 hours of draining.
Using Soaked Nuts
Create Nut Butters: Nut butters are delicious and nutritious spreads perfect for toast, fruit, ice cream, pancakes, and more. They can also be used in savory dishes, sauces, and soups.
- Popular nut butter options include peanut, almond, and cashew butter. You can also experiment with blended nut butters combining different nuts.
Explore Homemade Nut Milks: Homemade nut milks such as almond milk and cashew milk offer excellent non-dairy alternatives to cow's milk. You can use them plain, in cereal, in beverages like coffee and smoothies, to make cream soups, or in baking.
- Check out our guide on how to make almond milk.
Indulge in Chocolate-Coated Almonds: These delightful treats feature soaked and dehydrated almonds coated in chocolate, making them perfect for desserts, gifts, or as toppings for ice cream, cakes, and more.
Create Your Own Pralines: Pralines are decadent treats made by combining nuts and sugar for a crunchy, sugar-coated delight. Enjoy them on their own, as toppings for ice cream and cakes, or as a flavorful addition to salads and soups.
Sprouting Grains, Seeds, and Beans
Prepare Your Lentils for Sprouting: Sprouting involves soaking lentils in water until they begin to germinate. Follow these steps to prepare your lentils:
- Place lentils in a mason jar.
- Fill the jar with lukewarm water.
- Cover with cheesecloth and secure with an elastic.
- Soak for about 12 hours.
Drain and Rinse: After soaking, drain the lentils and rinse them well. Use the following steps:
- Remove the cheesecloth.
- Drain the water using an inverted strainer.
- Rinse with clean water.
Initiate Germination in Sunlight: Spread the drained lentils in the jar and place it in a sunny spot. Follow these steps:
- Secure the cheesecloth on the jar.
- Leave the jar in sunlight for two to four days.
- Sprouts are ready when the tail is as long as the lentil.
Regularly Rinse Sprouting Lentils: Continue the sprouting process by rinsing the lentils every 8-12 hours. Follow these steps:
- Rinse and drain the lentils.
- Return them to the jar and sun.
Enjoy Your Fresh Sprouts: Once sprouted, enjoy them in salads, sandwiches, or as desired. Store leftover sprouts in the refrigerator in an airtight container.
- Fresh sprouts will keep for 5-7 days in the fridge.
Useful Tips
Essential Equipment
- Large glass bowl or mason jar
- Strainer
- Clean towel
- Dehydrator or oven
