How long to soak dates?

[Minibean]

When a recipe calls for soaked dates, how long should they be soaked? And do you use cold water?

Hoping it's not too long, cause I want to make Alissa's walnut fudge tonight. It sounds soooo yummy. :)

[flutterfly]

A few hours if you need them fast or over night if you have time.

[Juan, Judy & Alex]

When we soak dates the timing is 2-3 hours or until soft this may take longer. We also us room temp water.

[rawpriestess]

The whole point of soaking dates, is to hydrate them so you can use them in recipes, without them being huge sticky, messy chunks.

I usually soak mine, while I am making other recipes, about 2 to 3 hours, plus I use fresh dates. If the dates are old, they will be drier, and will take longer to soak.

[heatkins]

Thanks Rawpriestess. I was just wondering why dates needed to be soaked. That makes sense!

[Minibean]

I soaked them for about an hour and the fudge still came out good. Next time I will soak them longer.

By "fresh" dates, do you mean not dried? The only dates I can get here are the dried ones labelled "cooking dates" in the bulk section.

[Sharon in Colorado]

The Date People sells wet dates (fresh) in bulk.

http://www.rawseattle.org/Dates/Frame.htm

[rawpriestess]

Hi,

when I said fresh, I meant ones that were new, not old, as the older ones are dryer. I have bought dates and had them in my fridge for months, and they are still good, they just start to dry out a little.

That is all I meant. I can get the fresh ones at pretty much any grocery store here where I am, so it's no big deal, although Costco has them around the holidays in a large plastic tub, so I buy a couple and freeze them, they work just fine.

Ialways use them in recipes, I never eat them plain, although my hubby does, and says they taste fine.

[vegangelist]

speaking of hubbies that eat dates....mine has "discovered" dates and now eats several a day....i have to hide some of them from him for other recipes :)

kristi

[maria84]

The Date People sells wet dates (fresh) in bulk.

http://www.rawseattle.org/Dates/Frame.htm

hey, i'm looking for a place to buy dates online for a reasonable price. the link didn't work though

[anniez]

I get nice dates at Whole Foods.

Annie

[GoneGreen]

I use fresh Medjool dates. Do they need to be soaked as well? I have just been using them as is, squeezing the pit out and dropping them into the blender or food processor. I just assumed that when I recipe called for soaked dates, they were referring to dried ones.

Mark

[Muscles]

I understand why nuts need to be soaked (to release enzyme inhibitors), but I am not sure why prunes, dates and raisins need to be soaked.....does anyone know? Also, I read that salt needs to be added to soaking nuts to help release the enzymes...is this valid? Furthermore, I have never dried the nuts afterwards, just put directly in fridge. Can this cause mold....also read this somewhere......

[JennaHoneyBear]

I understand why nuts need to be soaked (to release enzyme inhibitors), but I am not sure why prunes, dates and raisins need to be soaked.....does anyone know? Also, I read that salt needs to be added to soaking nuts to help release the enzymes...is this valid? Furthermore, I have never dried the nuts afterwards, just put directly in fridge. Can this cause mold....also read this somewhere......

its just to rehydrate them a little to ease blending. i usually soak for 30 mins if i'm in a hurry

not sure about the salt for the nuts, but i dont see why it would be necessary. the enzyme inhibitors get released with just water anyway

[revdrcyn]

I soak my dates for about an hour in room temp filtered water

Before draining them, I "massage" them a bit with my fingers to soften them - this works great!

[MsHomeRemedy]

So, I get the soaking part.
However, when a recipe calls for 1/2 cup dates that are soaked , do I measure before or after the soaking.

Thanks

[Shels]

So, I get the soaking part.
However, when a recipe calls for 1/2 cup dates that are soaked , do I measure before or after the soaking.

Thanks

I think it usually specifies? If not, I think you measure them before.

Anyhow, I never soak mine, I just buy them fresh when I need them.

[MsHomeRemedy]

Thanks Shels,
The recipe did not say if the measurement was before or after.
I measured them, then added the water. Can hardly wait to try some chocolate mousse.

TD