Nuts and seeds--soaking question

[Pony500]

So, when you soak nuts or seeds, do you soak them on the counter or in the fridge or doesn't it matter? Things that only need soaking for less than 4 hours, I have been doing just on the counter and if it's longer, I put them in the fridge. I just wondered what is the best way.

Also, can you over soak? I mean, if I start soaking something thinking I'm going to make something, but then I don't make it that day, should I just keep on soaking? Would it matter if that pertained to nuts or seeds? Last week, I started to soak sunflower seeds to make something, but I got burned out and didn't feel like making anything else, so I dumped out the water and just kept the sunflower seeds in the fridge, but then I ended up throwing them out because I took them out of the fridge for like 8 hours, thinking I would use them the next day and I didn't, so because they were out, I threw them out. Could I have used them? I have not done any sprouting or anything, so this is all new to me.

I just want to know if I could just let things soak for a longer period of time and maybe just change the water or something until I decide to make whatever I was going to make.

[northernstars]

I usually soak my nuts and seeds on the counter until drained and then they go into the fridge or used right away in a recipe. I think it is okay so long as they are rinsed so the water stay fresh.

[bellamausi]

I never heard of anybody soaking their seeds in the fridge. I almost think it would inhibit the sprouting process, because it's too cold for most seeds to want to germinate in nature.

I believe you can oversoak seeds etc., it would be like drowning them. But I think you would have to really leave them in for a longer time. I wouldn't worry about it too much.

If you don't want to use the seeds/nuts right away, they will keep nicely in the fridge. Just make sure you at least rinse them twice a day still. That will keep them from drying out and keep them fresh.

I think nuts won't keep as long as for example sprouted mung beans, or other seeds (like sunflower). Sprouted mung beans keep in my fridge for a very long time, if I take care of them (putting a cover on and rinsing them twice a day).

Oh, and in regards to leaving sprouts out for 8 hours: I think they would be fine. It also depends on the temperature a lot. During the summer, sprouts can go bad faster than in the winter. So just use your nose, most of the time you can tell by smelling them, if they are still ok.

[lizzyrose]

Don't mean to hijack this thread... but do you dehydrate your nuts after soaking? I've been dehydrating and then storing in the fridge for a few weeks... is this bad?

[Pony500]

I never heard of anybody soaking their seeds in the fridge. I almost think it would inhibit the sprouting process, because it's too cold for most seeds to want to germinate in nature.

I believe you can oversoak seeds etc., it would be like drowning them. But I think you would have to really leave them in for a longer time. I wouldn't worry about it too much.

If you don't want to use the seeds/nuts right away, they will keep nicely in the fridge. Just make sure you at least rinse them twice a day still. That will keep them from drying out and keep them fresh.

I think nuts won't keep as long as for example sprouted mung beans, or other seeds (like sunflower). Sprouted mung beans keep in my fridge for a very long time, if I take care of them (putting a cover on and rinsing them twice a day).

Oh, and in regards to leaving sprouts out for 8 hours: I think they would be fine. It also depends on the temperature a lot. During the summer, sprouts can go bad faster than in the winter. So just use your nose, most of the time you can tell by smelling them, if they are still ok.

So, if I have soaked sunflower seeds for like 8 hours on the counter and then I decide that I'm not going to use them that day, I should rinse and drain them and put them in the fridge, right? And I should continue to rinse and drain them until I use them, which should be in a day or so, right? Do I have all that right? And this would be regarding using the sunflower seeds in a recipe, not necessarily using them as sprouted seeds--or should I actually sprout them? Obviously, I am a little confused on the soaking/sprouting thing...but if I were in fact going to actually sprout them to still use in a recipe, I would just continue to rinse and drain them, but not put them in the fridge? Yeah, I need help with this!

[bellamausi]

Ok, there are two kinds of sprouting ......
1. Where you only let the seeds get a small tail
2. Where you let the seeds actually grow past the tail part and grow them into greens

As long as it is not too hot (in the summer), and you are rinsing the seeds every day, they actually are fine outside of the fridge, regardless for what purpose you are using them.

The reasons you put them in the fridge are for example, if you sprouted some mung/lentils etc for salads, and you won't use them all at once. The fridge will slow down the growth of the little tails, because sprouts don't taste as good when their tails get too long.


So, if I have soaked sunflower seeds for like 8 hours on the counter and then I decide that I'm not going to use them that day, I should rinse and drain them and put them in the fridge, right? And I should continue to rinse and drain them until I use them, which should be in a day or so, right?
It doesn't necessarily already have to be after a day or two days. Sunflower seeds will keep quite a few days if properly cared for. Even just on the counter rinsed twice a day. I have kept my sprouted sunflowers for a week or more. The tails get kind of long sometimes, but they are still eatable. They are still functional in recipes or salads. But yes, if you don't use them after a coupe of days, I'd suggest putting them in the fridge, since it slows down their growth a bit.


but if I were in fact going to actually sprout them to still use in a recipe, I would just continue to rinse and drain them, but not put them in the fridge?
The fridge has nothing to do with what you are going to use them for. You put them in the fridge, if you want to keep them longer, to slow down their growth, or if it is really hot in the summer, then they might spoil on the counter.


And I should continue to rinse and drain them until I use them
Yes, the rinsing will keep your sprouts hydrated, and fresh.

I hope I did ok answering your questions. If not,just keep asking away. :)

[bellamausi]

Don't mean to hijack this thread... but do you dehydrate your nuts after soaking? I've been dehydrating and then storing in the fridge for a few weeks... is this bad?

People sprout and then dehydrate their nuts. It's ok to do so. I personally haven't done it often, unless I make a snack with spices.

[TaupeRawMan]

I think the refrigerator question would depend on why you are soaking. If you are soaking to sprout, probably best to keep them out of the fridge. If soaking to remove tannins, it probably does not matter whether you have them in the fridge or not.