Soaking Nuts and Seeds

[T.W. Roese]

I have just begun a habit of soaking raw sunflower seeds and walnuts in cold water in glass bowls in the fridge for up to four/five days. Every morning I rinse them well, remove a few spoonfuls to add to breakfast, put fresh water over the rest and return whats left to the fridge.  Most info I've read online soaks them at room temperature on a counter instead, rinses twice a day, and then dehydrates. I can start soaking them at room temperature if this aids the germinating process, but I'd rather keep them in fresh water and eat them wet. Is this okay for digestion or is dehydrating recommended for some reason? Should I remove them from water and store them in the fridge after a couple of days on the counter in water? Just wondering if my method is optimal or if adjusting it would be more healthful.  

[sharon holden-roy]

I sprout  at room temp. them when they have finished sprouting place them in a ziplock bag in frig

[Rachael]

There isn't anything wrong with keeping them in the fridge, it is an effective method. If you are concerned, consider sprouting overnight and then putting them in the fridge. There is absolutely no need to dehydrate. In fact I would rather eat them dry from the package then have to soak and dehydrate them, lol! Hope this helps :)

[jasmine]

On a youtube Dara Dubinet said that she leaves hers in the fridge to keep on hand.. and she is very focused on nutrition..  so I would assume you are fine using the fridge.    Also, Alicia Cohen uses the fridge in her book..  She has the first night on the counter and the rest in the fridge.. (at least that is what I think I remember)

[Audrey Reader]

Is 'soaking' the same as sprouting? Or is sprouting waiting for the seeds to actually grow? I have never seen this in sunflower seeds.

[jasmine]

Good question.. 

[T.W. Roese]

Thanks everyone! I think I will soak on the counter overnight and then carry on with my fridge routine.

 

[Jane W Smith]

I have recipes that say soak for 8-12 hours and then sprout.  They get a little bump of a tail, but not a long one  like a mung bean or lentil would.  Soaking and sprouting are 2 different things, though. Soaking softens them up, sprouting gets all that life energy flowing......
 
T.W. Roese said:

Thanks everyone! I think I will soak on the counter overnight and then carry on with my fridge routine.

 

[Patty Cason]

I would say that soaking is not the same as spouting. Soaking is just enough to break down the protective coating on the nuts. Sprouting is the process of them actually growing tails. 

Audrey Reader said:

Is 'soaking' the same as sprouting? Or is sprouting waiting for the seeds to actually grow? I have never seen this in sunflower seeds.

[Audrey Reader]

Thanks! Have you actually seen a almond, sunflower or other seed (besides buckwheat) sprout? I have heard about it but have never seen it. Anybody know how to get this to happen?

[T.W. Roese]

My sunnies have tails!!!! YaHooooo;)

 

[Christina Hudler]

I would think that there should be no issue just eating them while they're wet, I think dehydrating them is more to recreate the original "crispness" you get from nuts that people are so used to...?