Posted by GirlonRaw on Friday, September 14, 2012 ·
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Have you ever tried sprouting? It’s something I know how to do but really don’t do enough of and I don’t know why, as it’s cheap, easy and sooo good for you. Plus you can grow them pretty much anywhere, including your hotel room if you are on the move!
Nuts and seeds need to be soaked to make it easier for your body to digest, as they are dormant and have enzyme inhibitors which are released through soaking. Some seeds will also sprout which is a great way to make your seeds more alkaline, increase their nutrient profile and can be an excellent source of protein – you can throw some into a smoothie to get a higher protein hit!
The fat/oil content is also slightly reduced after soaking as a portion of it is released through the soak water and process of sprouting.
Although some nuts don’t require soaking for enzyme release or activation it may be suggested to soak them to bring a creamier texture (aka cashews for cheesecakes, macadamias for ice cream etc).
Some raw recipes may not request soaking as a more dry texture is preferred for pastry crusts etc, however for milks, salad dressings, pates, cheeses – it’s a good idea to soak before hand to give the blender/food processor a helping hand making it more creamy.
Sprouts make an interesting addition to salads, smoothies, sandwiches, soups & garnishes.
Dried fruits like raisins/sultanas, goji berries, cranberries, apricots, figs and dates can also be soaked to ease digestion before using in recipes like desserts or throwing into salads to plump them. Place in a bowl with enough soak water to cover for 1 hour then rinse. Date paste can also be made this way as an alternative to other sweeteners in recipes, by blending the soak water with the softened dates.
Store soaked then air dried (or dehydrated if you wish) nuts in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days, seeds will last up to 3 days in an airtight container, also in the fridge. If you have space I keep soaked nuts in the freezer too for when I need them in a hurry.
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thanks for this guide! we need to get back into sprouting