Did you know the real reason you are supposed to soak your nuts is so that you can release the inner enzyme that's inside of them? I went to a raw vegan un-cooking class recently and was surprised to hear the Chef say the reason to soak your nuts is so that its easier to blend them into foods. The harsh reality is if you have a Vitamix or a good food processor your nuts will be manipulated any way you want them to be, soaked or not. But you are to soak them so that your body can get all that yummy nutrition that's trapped inside of them.
Karyn Calabrese teaches that you are to soak your nuts so that you can neutralize the enzyme inhibitors and help to release the beneficial enzymes nutrients that are inside of the nuts. As the naturopath and author Humbart Santillo puts it,
The superpowered protein molecules known as enzymes work in our bodies much the same way an electrical current illuminates a light bulb. Although the light bulb is in itself a wonderful physical structure, without electricity it is essentially lifeless. It simply cannot fulfill its purpose. Similarly, the human body cannot operate without the enzymes that fuel all our physical functions, including cell division, digestion, hormonal balance, immunity, mental acuity, metabolism, thyroid function, and even the absorption and assimilation of vitamins and minerals.
So by this theory, nuts produce more than just the "protein" everyone seems to think we all need an abundance of. I felt this was very pertinent information to share with everyone. If you try a plant based diet or raw vegan living...it is very important to soak your nuts and seeds before preparing your meals. I know some are thinking seeds too??? Well, yes, the enzyme inhibitors need to be neutralized and the beneficial enzymes nutrients that are inside of the seeds need to be released inside of them too. Besides, the whole point is to eat LIVE foods. If you are what you eat, then what happens when you eat dead foods? *smile* You must awaken the nut from its dead state first, then eat it.
Now, I know many that may be use to going to your freezer and popping dinner out and microwaving it may say this is just too much work. I'm here to tell you, it's not too much work. It may take a little planning ahead, but definitely not a lot of work. I typically do my soaking before going to bed at night. Or in the morning, then go off to begin my day...and when I'm ready for dinner, I drain, rinse and un-cook! By the way, I'm usually in the kitchen on average 30 minutes or less. For bigger fancier dinners, an hour or hour and half (depending on how many people I'm serving). But never as long as some may think it takes to prepare these foods. Besides, can there really be too much work when it comes to having optimal health practices? Anywho...
Listed below is a table I've compiled with a list of nuts and seeds and about (on average) how long you should soak them to release the beneficial enzyme nutrients...and even how long it will take for them to sprout.
NUT/SEED
|
SOAK TIME
|
SPROUT TIME
|
SPROUT LENGTH
|
Alfafa Seed
|
12 Hours
|
3-5 Days
|
1-2 Inches
|
Almonds
|
8-12 Hours
|
1-3 Days
|
1/8 Inch
|
Amaranth
|
3-5 Hours
|
2-3 Days
|
¼ Inch
|
Barley, Hulless
|
6 Hours
|
12-24 Hours
|
¼ Inch
|
Broccoli Seed
|
8 Hours
|
3-4 Days
|
1-2 Inches
|
Buckwheat, Hulled
|
6 Hours
|
1-2 Days
|
1/8 - 1/2 Inches
|
Cabbage Seed
|
4-6 Hours
|
4-5 Days
|
1-2 Inches
|
Cashews
|
2-3 Hours
|
||
Clover
|
5 Hours
|
4-6 Days
|
1-2 Inches
|
Fenugreek
|
6 Hours
|
2-5 Days
|
1-2 Inches
|
Flax Seeds
|
6 Hours
|
||
Garbanzo Beans
(Chick Peas)
|
12-48 Hours
|
2-4 Days
|
½ - 1 Inch
|
Kale Seed
|
4-6 Hours
|
4-6 Days
|
¾ - 1 Inch
|
Lentil
|
8 Hours
|
2-3 Days
|
½ - 1 Inch
|
Millet
|
5 Hours
|
12 Hours
|
1/16 Inch
|
Mung Beans
|
8 Hours
|
4-5 Days
|
¼ -3 Inches
|
Mustard Seed
|
5 Hours
|
3-5 Days
|
½ - 1 ½ Inches
|
Oats, Hulled
|
8 Hours
|
1-2 Days
|
1/8 Inch
|
Onion Seed
|
4-6 Hours
|
4-5 Days
|
1-2 Inches
|
Pea
|
8 Hours
|
2-3 Days
|
½ - 1 Inch
|
Peanuts
|
8-12 Hours
|
2-3 Days
|
½ - 1 Inch
|
Pecans
|
4 Hours
|
||
Pinto Bean
|
12 Hours
|
3-4 Days
|
½ - 1 Inch
|
Pumpkin
|
6 Hours
|
1-2 Days
|
1/8 Inch
|
Quinoa
|
3-4 Hours
|
2-3 Days
|
½ Inch
|
Radish
|
6 Hours
|
3-5 Days
|
¾ - 2 Inches
|
Rye
|
6-8 Hours
|
2-3 Days
|
½ - ¾ Inch
|
Sesame Seed, Hulled
|
8 Hours
|
||
Sesame Seed, Un-Hulled
|
4-6 Hours
|
1-2 Days
|
1/8 Inch
|
Spelt
|
6 Hours
|
1-2 Days
|
1/8 Inch
|
Sunflower, Hulled
|
6-8 Hours
|
1 Day
|
¼ - ½ Inch
|
Teff
|
3-4 Hours
|
1-2 Days
|
1/8 Inch
|
Walnuts
|
4 Hours
|
||
Wheat
|
8-10 Hours
|
2-3 Days
|
¼ - ¾ Inch
|
Wild Rice
|
12 Hours
|
2-3 Days
|
Rice Splits
|
This list is by no means complete. I will have to add to it as I think of new things to add to the list. But it should be a great list to help get you started. I hope this helps you all enjoy implementing a good healthy plant based diet to your lifestyle.
--------------
References:
- Calabrese, Karyn (2011). Soak Your Nuts: Cleansing with Karyn (Kindle Locations 554-557). Book Publishing Company. Kindle Edition.
- Humberto Santillo B.S., M.H. Natural Healing with Herbs 1985, Hohm Press, Prescott Valley, Arizona.
- Raw Living Foods
PLEASE NOTE! This site (including but not limited to:
all food, hair and skin care recipes; tips; tutorials; writings; and, downloads) are absolutely free to the public!
Because it's free, I ask one simple favor in return, as your token of
appreciation for my humanitarian effort...I realize you may want to share
and maybe even use Veg Vivaciously's content in your business (including but not limited to: blog(s), e-zine(s), website(s), free publication(s),
etc). You can, as long as you (1) do not charge a fee; (2) cite the direct link of the Veg Vivaciously content used; and, (3) include
the verbiage below with the Veg Vivaciously content used:
-------COPY BLURB BELOW-------
This content was originally from Veg Vivaciously, a website that teaches healthier alternatives one veggie at a time. You can get your FREE (food, hair and skin care) recipes, tutorials and other writings and tips directly at www.vegvivaciously.org. PLUS you can stay connected and join the Veg Vivaciously community on Facebook, Twitter and/or even download the Veg Vivaciously Toolbar and/or Phone App to stay in the know!
-------COPY BLURB ABOVE-------
Copyright © 2011 Veg Vivaciously All Rights Reserved. 
