Soaking Walnuts...Question?

[walnutty]

How long do walnuts need to soak in pure water to activate their enzymes?

[raweater]

I don't think walnuts (or pecans) sprout like other nuts because they're broken in half which kills them and makes sprouting impossible (which I beleive is what increases the enzymes and destroys the enzyme inhibitors). I think soaking walnuts is done only to change their texture, but I could be wrong.

[veganman]

I personally believe that all nuts and seeds should be soaked to remove the enzyme inhibitors.

As Raweater stated, however, walnuts will not sprout. Most references recommend soaking for 8 - 12 hours, some say to soak for 24. I usually soak for @ 12 hours and then let them dry out a bit in the fridge for a few hours.

[RowanC]

I don't soak walnuts unless I"m making something that needs to be really creamy and smooth.

For just eating, I don't soak them at all. I just wrap a date around them and munch! YUM!:p

[walnutty]

In "Living On Live Food", Alissa Cohen states, "All grains, beans, legumes, nuts and seeds should be soaked and sprouted. Even though nuts and seeds are raw, they contain enzyme inhibitors. This means that their enzymes are lying dormant. When you eat them, your body will have to use its own enzymes to break them up. That's not good. But the good news is, if you soak and sprout them, you'll activate their enzymes!" (walnutty added bold type)

I always soak the nuts and seeds that I use and sprout those that will. I then dehydrate them until dry so I have them ready to use in recipes. I was just wondering what the consensus was on how long to soak walnuts. I have heard times anywhere from 1 hour to 24 hours. This latest batch I soaked for 6 hours before putting in the EX.

Thanks for your input!!!

[Gittel]

After nuts are soaked and dried, how are they stored? In the pantry? Refrigerator? Freezer? Do you grind them first?

Gittel

[blaqberry]

If I'm not going to use them right away, I'll keep them in an airtight container and store them in the fridge. (I'm sure putting them in the freezer would also be fine if you prepare a huge batch for future use and need longer term storage.) Otherwise, if I plan to use them up quickly, I'll just keep them in an airtight container left on the countertop.

I wouldn't grind them up until just before needed, to help keeps things fresher longer. Nuts and seeds tend not to keep as well once ground. However, if you do decided to grind them, I would definitely store them in refrigerator at least.




After nuts are soaked and dried, how are they stored? In the pantry? Refrigerator? Freezer? Do you grind them first?

Gittel

[jrose_lee]

I like to soak mine for at least 7-8 hours, but usually overnight before dehydrating

[rubyhair]

i'm really new to being raw. can someone please explain why you would soak the nuts but then dehydrate them? that seems counterintuitive to me. i understand why you soak them but i would think that dehydrating them then would deactivate the enzymes? or something like that.

[Eva]

rubyhair: You're right, that really does sound counterintuitive, but if the dehydrator is set on a low temp, it shouldn't be killing the enzymes, just heating it a very small bit and mostly removing water.

walnutty: Shouldn't you be the walnut expert?! haha. I'm sorry. I couldn't resist. ;) I don't usually soak walnuts so much (a couple or few hours), but I do have to soak almonds for longer. It's always better to soak, but walnuts don't feel like the need nearly the same time as other nuts do.

Some crazy rawbies don't ever soak. :eek: :p

Anyhow... I wonder if I missed this info in Alissa's book about soaking times? It seems she has just about everything else, so please someone chime in if you know about any time ranges for different types of nuts!

[walnutty]

I WISH I were a walnut expert...lol...I just LOVE walnuts...they are my favorite nut! I just haven't been able to find a list or book that has an exact time for soaking walnuts.

Alissa Cohen's statement that I quoted is on page 36 of "Living On Live Food". The sprouting chapter begins on page 274. OH DUH!!! Ha, ha, ha! I just found where she states how long to soak "All other nuts - walnuts, macadamia, etc." Isn't that just how it goes? As soon as you anounce that you can't find something...you FIND it! Hee, hee, hee. Oh well, so that everyone knows...page 278 states how long to soak your nuts.

[Eilene]

I don't soak my walnuts. My favorite way to eat them is cracked open from their shell. Yum!!