Raw Nuts: How to Soak & Why?
August 6, 2009 by Shannon
Filed under Articles, Tips, & Info, Nuts
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Why Soak Raw Nuts?
Raw nuts are one of natures most nutritious foods, though they must be properly prepared to gain all of the nutritious benefits within them.
Raw nuts contain high amounts of phytic acid and enzyme inhibitors (a.k.a. anti-nutrients). These anti-nutrients act as a defense system to the nuts to keep them from sprouting prematurely and can be harmful to our own digestive systems when eaten without first soaking the nuts. The soaking of the raw nuts tricks the nut/seed into thinking that it is time to sprout. This neutralizes the enzyme inhibitors and phytic acid, making them easier to digest, increases vitamin/mineral absorption, and makes them even more tasty. See this article on phytic acid in nuts and/or Buy the Phytic Acid Paper at Rebuild Market.
How to Soak Raw Nuts
Soaking raw nuts is very easy to do. If you can invest in a decent food dehydrator, I really suggest you do (nobody wants to chew on a wet ’soggy’ nut). The dehydrator will dry the nuts and make them yummy-crispy, with minimal work. I bought my dehydrator pretty inexpensively at an outdoor store, and I absolutely love it! The dehydrator I use is easy to operate and has its own timer with an auto-off feature, so I don’t have to worry when the nuts are done. Check out this dehydrator, it’s very similar to mine. I believe it’s even made by the same manufacture.
Below is a recipe for soaked “raw” almonds. To see more recipes and find out more about soaking nuts, please read Sandy Fallon’s book ‘Nourishing Traditions: The Cookbook that Challenges Politically Correct Nutrition and the Diet Dictocrats’
Soaked “Raw” Almonds *
- 4 cups raw almonds
- 1 Tablespoon sea salt
- filtered water
- large glass bowl or large mason jar with lid
- colander
- food dehydrator (or a very low heated oven, see ‘No Dehydrator’ notes below)
1. Place the raw nuts in a glass bowl or jar. Fill with filtered water to completely cover. The nuts will soak up some of the water, so be sure to use plenty of water to cover.
2. Add the sea salt, and stir to dissolve the salt.
3. Cover the bowl or jar and let soak for at least 7 hours, or overnight.
4. Drain the soaked nuts in a colander.
5. Divide the drained nuts between several food dehydrator trays, being sure to spread them out well to make for quicker-even drying. Dry the nuts for 24 hours at 105F.
6. Place the soaked and dried nuts in an air-tight container, and store in a cool dry place. (I usually make several batches of nuts at a time, as we go through them at my house very quickly.)
Makes 4-cups of nuts.
*Healing Diet Approved
No dehydrator?
If you do not have a food dehydrator and cannot get one, I have heard you can use a very low oven and just keep the door open. But I have not done this, as my oven will not go low enough without roasting the nuts (using too high of a heat will kill the “good for you” enzymes in the nuts and can turn the oil in the nuts rancid).
