Soaking Nuts and Seeds

Soaking nuts and seeds in water activates the enzymes that make them sprout. When eaten, these enzymes are highly beneficial for digestion, energy and nutrition. If you think about it, inside that little tiny seed is all the power and energy it takes to turn that seed into a living plant. That’s a lot of energy. You can imagine, then, the benefits we can reap within our own bodies when we eat these “activated” seeds on a regular basis.

It usually takes 8-12 hours of soaking to activate the enzymes within nuts and seeds. Soaked nuts can be kept in the refrigerator for 2-3 days. If you have a dehydrator, you can dehydrate the activated nuts to give them a crunchier texture. Dehydrated soaked nuts can be stored in an air-tight container on the shelf for several days to several weeks, depending upon their moisture content.

Unfortunately, many of the nuts and seeds we purchase, even at healthy food markets, have lost the enzymes that enable them to sprout. If you want to reap the benefits of soaking and spouting nuts and seeds, it is recommended that you purchase organic, vacuum-packed nuts that have been processed and transported in lower temperatures. These are becoming more accessible at natural foods markets and on the internet. But don't hesitate to try sprouting the ones right out of the bins - if they don't sprout, the enzymes have been damaged.

©2006 Copyright Alison Anton - All rights reserved.