Soaking Nuts & Seeds

Soaking nuts and seeds has enormous benefits for your health. For many people, eating raw nuts and seeds can bother delicate digestive systems. When you soak and dehydrate raw nuts it makes them a lot easier to digest and also brings out the nutrients in the nuts to provide a nutrient dense snack.

Seeds and nuts are a rich source of essential fatty acids, amino acids (protein), antioxidants, fibre, Vitamin A, B’s, C and E, zinc, potassium, iron, folate, manganese, calcium and magnesium. The powerful combination of these vitamins, minerals and EFA’s makes them a great snack to enjoy to help reduce inflammation, assist in lowering cholesterol and lowering blood pressure.

Store bought nuts even when they are raw contain high amounts of enzyme inhibitors which are beneficial for the nuts because it prevents them from sprouting prematurely. The problem with this though, is that the enzyme inhibitors interfere with the absorption of proteins and nutrients and therefore cause digestive distress.

By pre-soaking nuts in warm water and sea salt, this process neutralizes enzyme inhibitors and encourages the production of beneficial enzymes which increase the vitamin and mineral content of the nut, making them easier to absorb. Soaking nuts allows enzymes to neutralize phytic acid and break down complex starch so that you don’t get that squirmy uncomfortable feeling after you have eaten them or feel like you have just swallowed an iron bar.

The same process happens when you soak raw seeds too.  They become enzyme active, predigesting the protein, carbohydrates and good fats in the seeds making it easier for your body to digest, metabolise and absorb the bio-available nutrients.

How to Soak and Dry Nuts

The method for soaking and drying nuts is very simple and you can do it at home without any complicated equipment.  Check the chart below for soaking and drying times.

The basic method is to place the nuts in a bowl, mix sea salt and filtered water in a jug and then pour over the nuts covering them completely.  You may have to add some water after a couple of hours.  Leave them on your kitchen bench for the specified period of time.  Once they are ready then drain them in a sieve and rinse with filtered water.  I like to run mine through the salad spinner to remove excess water but this is an optional step. Now spread them out on a baking tray and sprinkle with sea salt.  For reference when using Sea Salt you will need approx. one tablespoon of Sea Salt to four cups of nuts.

Place nuts in your dehydrator or dehydrate in a 49 degree Celsius oven (49 degrees is still considered a raw product and doesn’t destroy valuable nutrients). Make sure that you turn them every 2 hours with long handled tongs so that they dry evenly. Test them to make sure they are completely dry and crunchy.  If they are wet they can develop mould so it’s best to dry them as thoroughly as possible.

If you’re looking for some ideas for tasty flavours and seasonings then why not try one of the combinations below or make up your own?  If you do decide to flavour them up then pop the seasonings on just before they go in the oven not at the soaking stage.

• Savoury: Tamari, Sea Salt
• Sweet: Cinnamon and Stevia, Vanilla and Stevia
• Salt and Vinegar: Apple Cider Vinegar and Sea Salt
• Indian: Curry Powder, Cayenne Pepper, Garlic
• Italian: Basil Rosemary, Thyme and Oregano
• Cajun: Paprika, Garlic Powder, Onion Powder, Black Pepper, Cayenne Pepper, Oregano and Thyme

Now for some deliciously healthy dehydrated nut recipes for you to try.

For soaking and drying times check the table below.

Don’t forget to store nuts and seeds in glass containers with tight fitting lids and keep them in the refrigerator.

Salt and Vinegar Activated Almonds

• 2 cups raw almond kernels
• 3 TBS apple cider vinegar
• 2 tsp. sea salt
• filtered water to cover and rinse

Tamari Almonds

• 2 cups raw almond kernels
• 2 TBS wheat free Tamara
• 2 tsp. sea salt
• filtered water to cover and rinse

Turmeric Pepitas (Pumpkin Seeds)

• 4 cups of raw, Pepitas
• 2 TBS sea salt
• 1 tsp. turmeric
• filtered water to cover and rinse

Crispy Walnuts with Sea Salt

• 4 cups of raw walnuts
• 2 tsp. sea salt
• filtered water to cover and rinse

Activated Mixed Nuts

• 4 cups raw peanuts/pinenuts/hazelnuts
• 1 TBS sea salt
• filtered water to cover and rinse

Curried Cashews

• 4 cups of raw cashews
• 1 TBS sea salt
• 1 1/2 tsp. Curry Powder
• ½ tsp. Cayenne Pepper
• filtered water to cover and rinse

Macadamia Nuts

• 4 cups of raw macadamia nuts
• 1 TBS sea salt
• filtered water to cover and rinse