Questions about soaking nuts and seeds.

[kurt28]

Okay so you're suppose to soak nuts for eight hours before eatting, but what about seeds? How long do you soak seeds for?
I soaked some nuts and seeds the other day. I was going to put them in the fridge after that but I wasn't sure if I should put them in the fridge wet. So I let them sat in a stainer for a couple of hours first. Even after that they were still a bit damp. I end up putting them in the fridge damp because they were taking so long to dry. Just wondering if that matters or not. Do nuts and seeds have to be completely dry before putting them in the fridge? Just thought they might mold when damp. Also, will seeds keep as long as nuts do in the fridge?

[maggiesdaddy]

They should be as dry as possible in order to extend shelf life. try patting the with a towel, or with seeds set them on a hemp rag or on a paper towel to absorb some of the water.

You can soak seeds for 4 - 8 hours. I THINK that seeds will keep as long, but I am not sure.

[DebB]

Creating a Staple Stash of Sprouted, Dehydrated Nuts & Seeds for Raw Food REcipes (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FSCv-39TWvE). You might enjoy this video by Rene Oswald - I learned a lot from it. *Ü*

[kurt28]

Thanks for the video. I don't think she said on the video how long to dehydrate them for. Does she just do it for a few minutes or so to get them dry or what?

[DebB]

There's no 'guideline' per se on how long to dehydrate nuts & seeds for. When I do it - I open the dehydrator and test them every few hours and I simply dehydrate them until they're dry. I wish I could tell you, "Dehydrate almonds for XX hours", but all nuts & seeds are different. Your humidity level where you live, etc. all comes into play.

When I'm done dehydrating them, I store 1 mason jar full in the fridge and put the other mason jars in the freezer. I like to use mason jars as they fit in my freezer doors. This works wonderfully for me. I've always got them soaked, possibly sprouted, dried and ready to go in a recipe. I hope this helps. *Ü*

[maggiesdaddy]

I LOVE using mason jars for things!! How are they after they come out of the freezer? Do they still have good quality?

[DebB]

I'm not sure what you mean maggiesdaddy about they still having good quality? Do you mean the jar or what's inside?

Food items store beautifully in canning jars (I cannot attest to something like a mayo jar - I'm talking Ball or Kerr type jars) in the freezer! They used to make (perhaps still do?) regular freezer jars and you will recognize these in thrift stores as they have no 'shoulder' on them - the sides are straight. This is to facilitate getting frozen things out without the sloped in neck of a regular canning jar. Some trivia there :) But regular canning jars are what I use in the freezer or fridge or pantry. I love wide mouth as I'm able to actually fit my hand inside for washing and pulling out sticy things like dehydrated fruit.

More than you cared to know about canning jars? Don't get me started - wink! *Ü*

[DebB]

Ahh - and another tip. I use, but it's not necessary -my Food Saver, vacu-sealing items using a canning flat (like you would use if you canned). I love using this for frozen items and items that will sit on my pantry shelves in canning jars like dehydrated foods. Again - not necessary to use the FS, but I've got it and so I use it. *Ü*

[Spunkymama]

Once the seeds/nuts are soaked and dehydrated are they in that "better" enzyme released state still? It just seems they will be similar to their original raw state after dehydration, but I'm guessing the nutritional quality must be better or else people wouldn't go to the trouble, right?

[maggiesdaddy]

I'm not sure what you mean maggiesdaddy


I meant the nuts after being in the fridge ...