Cashews are brain food from the nut family, known for their amazing health benefits. Cashews can give you fiber, essential vitamins and minerals without the addition of sugar. It’s a nut that you can consume even in its raw form without any drawbacks or problems.
There are a lot of different dishes that you can use cashews in, for example, Butter Chicken, which happens to be one of the most popular dishes in India. You can also use cashews in Poulet Aux Noix, which happens to be one of the most prominent dishes from Haiti. You will also find cashews being used abundantly in frozen desserts like the So Delicious Salted Caramel Cluster.
Why Should You Soak Cashews?
Why should you soak a nut that is already healthy enough? The answer to this is simple, to reduce Phytic Acid. It is a compound found in nuts and different plant seeds that inhibits the absorption of nutrients and minerals. The main nutrients and minerals that it stops or impairs are Iron, Calcium and Zinc.
By soaking cashews, you reduce the efficacy of this anti-nutrient by allowing it to be purged. We won’t go into the details, but water can break Phytic Acid down due to its Ester linkage. In short, you can get a full dose of your nutrients without any loss of taste.
Another reason for soaking cashews is to make them creamier and richer for certain dishes. Some dishes cannot be created without soaking cashews. Some people soak them purely for the texture and taste that develops by soaking.
Finally, sometimes eating raw cashews can lead to certain skin problems. These are triggered by the compound Urushiol found in most raw cashews. By soaking cashews, you reduce the concentration and effects of this compound.
How to Soak Cashews
You soak cashews via the traditional soaking method. You will only need a bowl, some cashews and pure water. You put your cashews into a bowl after washing them thoroughly and cover them with water.
You then leave them to soak for the required amount of time. The only drawback to soaking cashews is that they become smelly and unusable if you leave them to soak for too long. You must test them by probing them with a fork or spoon for the right texture and firmness.
Soaking Cashews in Water
There are no hidden tactics or secrets to using water as a medium for soaking cashews. You only need a non-reactive bowl and some tasty cashews. You have to wash the cashews and then put them in a bowl.
After that, you pour in some cold water and let your cashews soak. You can check the consistency and firmness of your cashews after every two hours or so. When you feel the cashews are done, drain the water and put them in whatever dish you are trying to make.
How Long To Soak Cashews
The length of soaking cashews, as stated above, depends entirely on what consistency you want. You could get soaked cashews or moderately soaked cashews based on the length of the soaking period.
The average soaking period for cashews should be more than 4 hours but less than 12 hours. Soaking periods longer than 12 hours could destroy your cashews. You may find a gel-like substance in your cashews, and you probably won’t like it.
Can You Soak Cashews Overnight?
The simple answer to this question is that yes, you can, but normally you shouldn’t. Normally soaking cashews for 8 hours is more than enough. A soaking period of 12 hours could very well destroy your cashews, as explained above.
If you want to soak your cashews overnight, then please keep them in a cold environment. Ideally, you should keep them in a refrigerator to stop them from losing their shape and consistency.
How to Soak Cashews Fast
The quick soak method for cashews is simple but a bit risky. You start by washing your cashews and putting them in a pot. You add water and bring the whole thing to a boil, and then let it boil for two minutes.
After that, please turn off the heat immediately and let them soak for 12 to 15 minutes. Please, do not let them soak for too long in hot water because they will lose their shape and firmness. Remove them from the water, and then you can do with them as you see fit.
If you want the health benefits of cashews without the added effort, then get some nutrition bars. The best protein bar that you can get with cashews and all of the other nutty goodies is a Clif Whey Protein Snack Bar. It tastes like heaven, and it gives you enough energy to pull through the worst of times.
Sources
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