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Sunday, January 27, 2013

Benefits of Soaking Nuts/Seeds & Sprouting! Made Easy!


If you've started reading raw cookbooks, you've probably noticed that soaking nuts and seeds is a pretty common practice!
The main reason soaking nuts and seeds is so important is because they contain enzyme inhibitors.
The purpose of these enzyme inhibitors is to protect the nut or seed until it has what it needs for growing.
Nature allowed the inhibitors and toxic substances to be easily removed when the conditions (enough rain and sun) were met.
In nature, when it rains the nut gets enough moisture so it can germinate and produce a plant. The plant then continues to grow with the sunlight.
By soaking nuts and seeds, you release these toxic enzyme inhibitors AND increase the life and vitality contained within them!
Almonds
The Benefits of Soaking Nuts and Seeds

  • Enzyme inhibitors get neutralized.

  • The amount of vitamins your body can absorb increases.

  • Gluten breaks down so digestion is much easier.

  • Phytic acid, which inhibits the absorption of vital minerals, is reduced.
Soaking times vary with the nut. Generally the more dense the nut, the longer the soaking time. Ideally, soaking should be done at room temperature.
Below is a soaking and sprouting chart. 

Soaking and Sprouting Times

Nut / SeedDry AmountSoak TimeSprout TimeSprout LengthYield
Alfalfa Seed3 Tbsp12 Hours3-5 Days1-2 Inches4 Cups
Almonds3 Cups8-12 Hours1-3 Days1/8 Inch4 Cups
Amaranth1 Cup3-5 Hours2-3 Days1/4 Inch3 Cups
Barley, Hulless1 Cup6 Hours12-24 Hours1/4 Inch2 Cups
Broccoli Seed2 Tbsp8 Hours3-4 Days1-2 Inches2 Cups
Buckwheat, Hulled1 Cup6 Hours1-2 Days1/8-1/2 Inch2 Cups
Cabbage Seed1 Tbsp4-6 Hours4-5 Days1-2 Inches1 1/2 Cups
Cashews3 Cups2-3 Hours4 Cups
Clover3 Tbsp5 Hours4-6 Days1-2 Inches4 Cups
Fenugreek4 Tbsp6 Hours2-5 Days1-2 Inches3 Cups
Flax Seeds1 Cup6 Hours2 Cups
Garbanzo Beans
(Chick Pea)
1 Cup12-48 Hours2-4 Days1/2-1 Inch4 Cups
Kale Seed4 Tbsp4-6 Hours4-6 Days3/4-1 Inch3-4 Cups
Lentil3/4 Cup8 Hours2-3 Days1/2-1 Inch4 Cups
Millet1 Cup5 Hours12 Hours1/16 Inch3 Cups
Mung Beans1/3 Cup8 Hours4-5 Days1/4-3 Inches4 Cups
Mustard Seed3 Tbsp5 Hours3-5 Days1/2-1 1/2 Inches3 Cups
Oats, Hulled1 Cup8 Hours1-2 Days1/8 Inch1 Cup
Onion Seed1 Tbsp4-6 Hours4-5 Days1-2 Inches1 1/2-2 Cups
Pea1 Cup8 Hours2-3 Days1/2-1 Inch3 Cups
Pinto Bean1 Cup12 Hours3-4 Days1/2-1 Inch3-4 Cups
Pumpkin1 Cup6 Hours1-2 Days1/8 Inch2 Cups
Quinoa1 Cup3-4 Hours2-3 Days1/2 Inch3 Cups
Radish3 Tbsp6 Hours3-5 Days3/4-2 Inches4 Cups
Rye1 Cup6-8 Hours2-3 Days1/2-3/4 Inch3 Cups
Sesame Seed,
Hulled
1 Cup8 Hours1 1/2 Cups
Sesame Seed,
Unhulled
1 Cup4-6 Hours1-2 Days1/8 Inch1 Cup
Spelt1 Cup6 Hours1-2 Days1/4 Inch3 Cups
Sunflower, Hulled1 Cup6-8 Hours1 Day1/4-1/2 Inch2 Cups
Teff1 Cup3-4 Hours1-2 Days1/8 Inch3 Cups
Walnuts3 Cups4 Hours4 Cups
Wheat1 Cup8-10 Hours2-3 Days1/4-3/4 Inch3 Cups
Wild Rice1 Cup12 Hours2-3 DaysRice Splits3 Cups



Soaking Nuts and Seeds

  1. Gather your raw, organic nuts or seeds.

  2. Rinse them in purified or distilled water.

  3. Place them in a glass or stainless steel bowl.
  4. Soaking Nuts

  5. Cover with twice as much water as the nuts or seeds. (1 cup of nuts to 2 cups of water).

  6. Cover the bowl with something breathable like a cloth towel.

  7. Drain and rinse the nuts or seeds every 3 or 4 hours.
The soak water will contain the enzyme inhibitors which is very acidic to the body so make sure to rinse your nuts and seeds well.


Sprouting Nuts and Seeds

  1. Follow the process above for soaking nuts and seeds.

  2. Place the soaked and rinsed nuts or seeds in a sprouting jar. You can get this online or at a health food store.

  3. Cover the jar with screening, cheesecloth, or sprouting lids.
  4. Sprouting Jar

  5. Put the jar face down, at an angle in a low light place. A dish rack or a high rimmed bowl works well because it allows the excess water to drain out.

  6. Rinse every 8 hours. To rinse: Fill jar with water. Shake vigorously. Drain. Repeat 2-3 times.

  7. Make sure you drain the jar well. Seeds
    that sit in water can spoil the whole jar!

  8. Once sprouting begins, place in a sun lit area. Don't place in direct sunlight though. Continue to rinse every 8 hours.

  9. Let the sprouts grow for the suggested number of days.
After the final rinse, let the sprouts dry completely! They should be dry to the touch. This is very important! Refrigerated produce dies quickly.
The sprouts can then be stored in the refrigerator for up to 6 weeks. 




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