Did you know that the healthiest way to eat nuts is by soaking them raw first? The process of soaking raw nuts removes their naturally-occurring enzyme inhibitors, whose presence makes digestion difficult and sometimes uncomfortable or painful. Soaking nuts also increases the amount of vitamins and minerals your body is able to absorb.
So how in the world do you soak nuts? I’m glad you asked! It’s actually quite simple. Just follow the easy steps below, and you’ll be a nut-soaking expert in no time!
- Gather your raw nuts or seeds together.
- Rinse them in water.
- Place them in a glass or stainless steel bowl.
- Cover the nuts or seeds with twice as much lukewarm water as the nuts (for example, 2 cups of water for 1 cup of nuts).
- For every cup of nuts or seeds you are soaking, add approximately 1 teaspoon of sea salt to the bowl and stir to dissolve (unless you are soaking pecans or walnuts, in which case you need only add 1/2 teaspoon of salt for every cup of nuts).
- Cover the bowl with something breathable, like a cloth towel.
- Soak the nuts or seeds for the recommended amount of time, as listed below.
- Once the soaking is complete, drain and rinse the nuts or seeds in clean water.
- Spread the rinsed nuts or seeds on a paper towel and allow to dry completely.
- Store the soaked nuts or seeds in the refrigerator, and eat within three days.
You may also dehydrate your nuts or seeds after soaking and rinsing them, to preserve them and ensure a longer shelf life. To do this, use either a dehydrator or an oven set to 150 degrees Fahrenheit. Dehydration times vary, but are generally between 12-24 hours, until nuts or seeds are completely dry and crisp. Once the nuts or seeds are dehydrated, they may be stored in an air-tight container until you are ready to eat them!
Soaking times
Almonds: 7-12 hours
Brazil Nuts: 7-12 hours
Cashews: 6 hours, no longer
Flax Seeds: 6-8 hours
Hazelnuts: 7-12 hours
Macadamia Nuts: 7-12 hours
Peanuts: 7-12 hours
Pecans: 7-10 hours
Pine Nuts: 7-10 hours
Pumpkin Seeds: 7-12 hours
Sunflower Seeds: 6-8 hours
Walnuts: 7-10 hours
Happy Soaking!!!