Do Pepitas need to be soaked?

[Vann167]

Do raw pepitas have enzyme inhibitors that need to be deactivated?

What about raisins?
I don't see why raisins would, but I'm curious as to why some recipes call for you to soak them.

Thanks,

Katie:o

[vgloveforlife]

Hi,
Yes pumpkin seeds need to be soaked as well as all nuts and seeds.

Raisins are dehydrated so it is a good idea to soak them to rehydrate them.

[Vann167]

thank you so much!!

[veganman]

Hi Vann -

as Vgloveforlife pointed out, nuts,seeds, and dried fruits should be soaked.

The reason to soak, rinse, and sprout (for those nuts/seeds that sprout) nuts and seeds is to remove the enzyme inhibitors and activate the food's own enzymes. This minimizes the need to use your body's enzymes and makes the food easier to digest.

With dried fruits, there aren't any enzyme inhibitors, but the soaking makes the fruit easier to digest and keeps it from pulling the water from your body to break it down.