Soaking Nuts, Grains and Beans

Most people don’t realize that it’s important to break down whole grains, beans, nuts, and seeds by soaking or sprouting first before consuming them.

Many cultures have been doing this for thousands of years because cooking simply isn’t enough to break down the anti-nutrients and phytic acid found in grains, beans, nuts and seeds. If you are new to this concept, I recommend you read these blog posts:

• Do You Know How To Prepare Your Grains Properly?
• Grains: Are they Good or Bad?
• The Ultimate Guide to Soaking, Sprouting, & Sour Leavening Grains – Part 1
• The Ultimate Guide to Soaking, Sprouting, & Sour Leavening Grains – Part 2
• The Ultimate Guide to Soaking, Sprouting, & Sour Leavening Grains – Part 3
• The Ultimate Guide to Soaking, Sprouting, & Sour Leavening Grains – Part 4

WHAT DO I MEAN BY WHOLE GRAINS, BEANS, NUTS, AND SEEDS?

“Whole grain” means the whole grain. It’s also called the KERNEL, or the BERRY of the plant.

HOW DO I SOAK MY WHOLE GRAINS, NUTS, BEANS, AND SEEDS?

The process is VERY simple – the soaking times can vary depending on the grain, nut, bean or seed.

Step 1 – Soak your grain, nut, bean or seed in water. Make sure the water is double the amount of grain, nut, bean or seed, as it will be absorbed. Leave the bowl or jar on your countertop at room temperature for the specified time for your desired Soaking Food. If it calls for a long soaking time, then you’ll need to change the water once or twice. Refer to the chart below for soaking times.

Soak and Sprout Chart

Step 2 – Drain the liquid and cook your grain or bean normally (it will have a shorter cooking time). Eat your nut and/or seed plain, roast them if you desire. It’s safe! You can also make nut/seed milk or nut/seed butter at this point. You also have the option to dehydrate the grain, bean, nut or seed, but keep in mind that they will not last as long at room temperature and last longer frozen after they’ve been soaked and dehydrated.

HOW DO I SPROUTMY WHOLE GRAINS, NUTS, BEANS, AND SEEDS?

I recommend starting with 2 or 3 jars so you have a continuous supply of sprouts

Sprouting Jar Kit with 1 Jar 2 Jar Sprouting Kit 3 Jar Sprouting Kit Organic Seed Starter Kit

This method takes a few extra steps, but you start out with soaking.

Step 1 – Soak your grain, nut, bean or seed in water. Make sure the water is double the amount of grain, nut, bean or seed, because it will be absorbed a bit. Leave the bowl or jar on your countertop at room temperature for the specified time. If your grain, nut, bean or seed calls for a longer soaking time, then you’ll need to change the water once or twice.

Step 2 – Drain the liquid, then rinse and fill back up with fresh water. Drain the liquid slowly at an angle to create a humid environment. Your goal is to keep the kernels moist until they sprout a bud. They do this by being exposed to light and moisture.

Step 3 – Repeat Step 2 every few hours, or at least twice daily.

Step 4 – In 1-4 days, your sprouted grain, nut, bean or seed should be ready. Refer to the chart above for sprouting times.

Step 5 – Eat within 2-3 days. You can put them on salads, sandwiches, in smoothies or soups!

OPTIONAL STEP (but recommended) – Add 1-2 TBS. of apple cider vinegar to your water during the soaking time. This will aid in the development of phytase, which is the enzyme needed to break down the phytic acid found in grains, nuts, beans, and seeds.

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