Soaking Nuts/Seeds

[verb8tim]

The recipe for fruit smoothies calls for soaked flax seeds and soaked dates. My question is: How long is it necessary to soak the flax seeds and the dates prior to using?

Is it necessary to soak raw nuts? Do all types of nuts need soaking?

[momoftwo477]

I bought Raw Foods, Real WOrld and they mention that the soaking improves the flavor, and some other things. haha How's that for info. Also, most recipes call for at least an hour of soaking, usually more, like 2-4 hours. Hope this helps.

[kayaker43]

Hi
Re soaking flax seeds. I soak mine overnight - if you cover 'em with water they'll soak it up in an hr. or so. I cover mine with loads of water (at least
3 inches above the top of the seeds) and leave them overnight with a tea towell covering the bowl. They take on a geletanous texture (yup, just like tapioca). I use 'em for dehyrated crackers.

Soaking dates is usually just to soften them up so your machine can process
them.

I don't soak walnuts (it seems to bring out an acid to the skin) fresh walnuts are heaven!! Oh, and I don't soak pecans.

Almonds are georgous soaked overnight, rinsed and put in a covered container in the fridge. All nuts actually I keep in the fridge.
The only nuts/seeds I've soaked so far are almonds and flax
I've been at it since Sept. last year.
Hope this helps.

Cheers,
kayaker43

[swimgirl]

Hi, Do you use plain water or do you brine the almonds?

[NaturesLove]

Are they still crunchie after the are soaked or soft and chewey. I am reading the 12 steps to raw foods book right now... just started it today so far only on the first chapter but it has caught my attention about enzymes.

I like pecans, almonds and walnuts if I don't soak them will I get some of the enzymes anyway or is the soaking is what will release them more. I guess I will have to give it a try.

I love pecans, sunflowers seeds and fax seed in the blender I use it to on my salads it is great, has anyone else tried this. thanks

Michelle

[Res]

OMGosh this is so funny! I was thinking about the other "Soak your nuts" thread that's buried here somewhere and how it got kind of crazy (innocently) but so darned funny. :rolleyes:

Anyway, I have a friend who has a huge almond tree and what's really cool is that the Almonds fresh from the tree are "JUICY". They aren't dried out and crunchy but there's a juicy crunch kind of similar to biting into an apple sort of. lol I can't explain.

Even soaked nuts are kind of crunchy but different from dried nuts. You have to soak em and then try em to see what we're talking about. :)

Peter sent out recipes in his eNewsletter for smoothies that have soaked flax seeds as one of the ingredients. I posted it in the "Lemonhead Recipe Box". Take a peek. :)

Mmm, sounds like a lovely salad dressing. The reason I like the sound of it is, I can walk away after eating a medium sized salad and still think I'm hungry. If I use an avocado or Tahini dressing I feel much more satisfied. I'm going to give your seeds/nuts dressing a try. Thanks for the idea! :)

Love,
~Res

[sopheetsa]

oh God, yer making me die laughing.

I can't bring myself to soak my nuts, sorry... and I know how important it is.

[Res]

You think this is funny....you should've seen the other thread. ;)

*smooch*

[NaturesLove]

Thanks Res, is it ok to have raw nuts not soaked sometimes. I will give it a try both ways infact I have already brought some the other day. I will check out the recipe now.

Where do you find a dyhydrator, I read something about buying one and what is it used for thanks

:)

[Res]

Nature: (I eat raw nuts not soaked :o shh ;)) Plus Soph just said she doesn't soak her nuts either (giggle).

At times I'll forget to soak them and need them as I'm going out the door or want a quick snack - so I'll just grab them raw and unsoaked. Once I left them soaking a bit too long and I think they fermented!

You can pick up a dehydrator just about anywhere. Walmart, Target etc. I use mine periodically - mostly in the summer. I think they're worth having. :)

Love,
~Res

[NaturesLove]

Ok I will give them a try. I am off this week so I have time to shop around. I have to get the daily dophlus anyone since tomorrow is my last day. I will started with the orange juice on tuesday.

:)

[HealthyBiz]

Now that I'm transitioning off my MC, I can finally try out these soaked nuts. I had my first couple of almonds yesterday on my raw salad. MMMMMmmmmm..... Some of you might recall that I was having a silly craving about munching on one almond (while on the MC), so I've had a chance to try this out. They grow bigger! with the water, so seem to be more substantial. There's still a crunch and they seem to be tastier soaked. Can't explain it, but if you're thinking about trying this out, I'm one more in the Thumbs Up corner! ... at least about almonds. I haven't tried other nuts just yet.

[peanutterb]

Soaking:
1. rinse your nuts or seeds, then soak them in water in a glass jar or bowl that’s covered with cheesecloth or a stocking or papertowel. At room temperature.
2. Afterward, rinse and drain the nuts or seeds with water a couple of time.


item time
almonds 8 -12 hours
cashews 2 – 2.5 hrs
Wild rice 9 hrs
Pumpkin seeds 8 hrs
quinoa 2 hrs
Sunflower seeds 2 hrs
walnuts 4 hrs
Sesame seeds 8hrs

[Wakingzoe]

How long is too long for soaking Flax Seeds and Almonds?

How do you know when they are fermented?

How long can Flax seeds thathave already been soaked overnight be kept in the refrigerator?

It's my first time soaking Flax seeds and I soaked them for 14 hours accidently. Not sure if this was too much. They were kinda slimy but actually tasted quite good so I figured it was ok.
Made 3 cups of *Flax tea with the water they were soaked in to sooth and help with my intestinal digestion after cleansing but then had realized I used too many flax seeds and to not waste even though I did it just for the tea I wanted to re-use them after soaking in a smoothie or soup or something but not today. So how long can they keep in the fridge?

(*suggested by Dr. David Jubb whose known for his Lifefood (The next level of Raw Food ) suggested diet. www.JubbsLongevity.com and www.Lifefood.com)

Also does anybody have any good receipes that use soaked flax seeds?

Thanks!
Maia

[peanutterb]

hi wakingzoe,

did you try doing a google search to find the answers to your questions?

i know almonds are 12 - 24 hrs but I don't know what happens if you do them too much, or anything about flax seeds.

soaked raw nuts keep in the fridge for a few days. i always only do a cup or two at a time and that lasts me 2 - 3 days. I was warned about keeping almonds too long because they'll get rancid. After the 3rd/ 4th day I threw the rest out because they tasted different, but it may have just been in my head.

[peanutterb]

http://www.efn.org/~sundance/Sprouting.html

Sprouting Advantages
Enzymes are activated.
Proteins convert to free amino acids.
Starches change to simple sugars.
Minerals combine to increase assimilation.
Vitamin content increases from 3 to 12 or more times.
Chlorophyll and carotene content increase dramatically when exposed to sunlight.
Home-grown sprouts are remarkably inexpensive.
How To
Soak seeds for 12 hours (overnight) - more or less
Rinse 3-6 times daily - rinse 1 or more times until the water is fresh & clear; leave the jar upside down to drain.
Sprouts are ready in 3 or 4 days or when green leaves are evident
Pure (filtered) water is best - it produces the most alive food possible
Seeds, beans & peas can be stored for years (some alfalfa seeds survived for millennia in Egyptian tombs and still sprouted!)
When ready, keep sprouts refrigerated & rinse daily
Cooking time can be lessened & nutritional content increased by sprouting buckwheat, rice, corn or wheat (12 to 24 hours should be enough time)

[sophiareigns]

Soaking:
1. rinse your nuts or seeds, then soak them in water in a glass jar or bowl that’s covered with cheesecloth or a stocking or papertowel. At room temperature.
2. Afterward, rinse and drain the nuts or seeds with water a couple of time.


item time
almonds 8 -12 hours
cashews 2 – 2.5 hrs
Wild rice 9 hrs
Pumpkin seeds 8 hrs
quinoa 2 hrs
Sunflower seeds 2 hrs
walnuts 4 hrs
Sesame seeds 8hrs


Hi peanutterb,
You are a treasure trove of information.:D Thank you sooooo much. I did 35 days on the cleanse and now I am here learning the finer points of breaking the cleanse and going into a more healthy way of eating. Lots to read about in the after the cleanse area. Glad I did this! Yipee, I am feeling GREAT!:p

Sophiareigns
MC1-35days

[debwiles]

ohhhhh I can't wait to start to eat raw foods, I'm still only on day 3 of the cleanse, I'm giggly at the thought of eating almonds again. :) Thank you for this thread

[thesavage]

I eat a crazy-yummy dish every day. I call it my chocolate pudding. I'll give the *basic* recipe below, but I have a question. I rotate the nuts everyday and try to just have one kind of nut per day. couldn't tell you why. Is that necessary? Is it good? Is it better to mix them up a little more every day? I know it really can't be bad, per se. But I always like to know what's optimal.

Here's my favorite recipe!:
**All ingredients are raw and organic
large handful or two of one type of nut, soaked overnight (almonds, cashews, walnuts, pecans, pistachios, filberts...)
cocoa powder - approx. 2-3 Tbsp
hemp protein powder - 1 scoop
maca powder - 2 tsp
Super Green food (I use Garden of Life's 'Perfect Food') 1-2 tsp.
Agave syrup to taste
water as needed
every day, I try new spice combos:
cinnamon
cinnamon and cayenne
cinnamon, chipotle and cayenne
...
First, I grind the soaked nuts. Then I start adding the others, a little bit of water each time, till I have a smooth, yummy thick pudding consistency.

After I pour most of the mixture into a bowl, I'll add a bunch more water and have a separate chocolate 'milk' mixture.

This is so yummy, it's unbelievable. And it's actually SOOOOOOOOO good for you.

[Bogi]

Hey Peanutbutter,

Thanks for the soaking information, very useful.
I didn't bring nuts with me today to work, I thought I won't need them, and of course I've got the cravings! So just ran down to the news stand and picked up 2 small pkg of raw cashew. Not soaked, obviously. Hope I won't gain weight from it! :D

[lalalimon]

I'm on the my 2nd day post cleanse off of a 24 day cleanse. Since this was my frist cleanse I also am new to soaking nuts. I bought raw almonds and walnuts yesterday and can't wait to try them. I will soak them tonight so I can try one tomorow.
I have been ok with actually having a piece of orange and/or grapefruit with out juicing but I do eat it slow. I am sure I can handle a few almonds tommorow. So excited!!!!