How to Soak Walnuts

A walnut is by far the definition of what a nut should be like. It has a hard exterior, with a slightly less hard interior. Like some of the other nuts, their nutritional benefits are beyond compare, especially when you compare them with other brain-boosting foods.

Walnuts generally belong to the Juglans regia family and are a dense source of protein, rich fiber and magnesium. According to studies made by Harvard University, consuming 1 to 2 walnuts every day could also save you from colorectal cancer.

Another not-so-surprising but positive effect of walnuts is that they reduce cholesterol levels overall. They also improve cognitive abilities, making you livelier. The best thing about walnuts is their unique taste, which makes them a good choice as garnish.

Why Should You Soak Walnuts?

Walnuts are the ultimate ingredient; this fact is substantiated by their use worldwide. Walnuts enhance and enliven the taste of dishes like Ma’amoul, Tarator and Satsivi. So, if walnuts are perfect, why would you need to soak them?

The first main reason for soaking walnuts is more subjective. Some people don’t like the slightly bitter flavor of walnuts, while others don’t want that hard texture for a certain recipe. By soaking walnuts, you can make their taste mellow and texture more buttery and softer.

Another reason for soaking walnuts is that phytic acid concentration goes down after soaking. It means that your walnuts become more digestible, less gassy and more nutritious. Nuts, like other seeds, have a natural enzyme inhibitor, which constricts their nutritional value.

How to Soak Walnuts

Soaking walnuts can’t get any easier for you, especially if you have soaked anything else ever in your life. All you need is some purified soaking liquid and a bowl filled with walnuts. Wash your walnuts thoroughly and put them in a non-reactive bowl.

Then add enough water to cover the walnuts by an inch or two of the soaking medium. Walnuts do not absorb a lot of moisture, so just enough water to completely submerge your walnuts should be enough. Once the soaking period is over, remove the walnuts and rinse them gently but thoroughly.

Soaking Walnuts in Water

Water is by far the most effective soaking material because of its breakdown effect. You only have to put your walnuts in water and wait for them to soak up the water. Once they reach the right consistency and softness, you can remove them from the bowl.

Once you remove them from the bowl, wash them as explained above. After that, you can put them in a dish or eat them directly. You should know that eating four to five soaked walnuts daily brings down bad cholesterol levels effectively. Some people eat soaked walnuts purely for this reason.

How Long To Soak Walnuts

Walnuts are generally hard and need a lot of time to soak properly. You will have to soak your walnuts for at least 4 to 5 hours, even by the traditional method. Soaking your walnuts for a period less than that isn’t effective.

You can soak them for 10 hours if you keep the temperature regulated. We do not recommend them for longer than that because it is not effective and hardly beneficial. Your walnuts may even become a bit slimy and develop a weird odor if soaked for too long.

Can You Soak Walnuts Overnight?

Walnuts are generally hard and need a lot of time to soak properly. Considering that fact, walnuts should be soaked overnight. The minimum time needed to soak walnuts is at least 4 to 5 hours, so why not go the extra mile and soak them overnight.

By soaking your walnuts, you reduce the level of that inhibitor and make it more beneficial. Again, you may not need to soak your walnuts overnight if you’re following a specific recipe. However, if you have no such constraints, we recommend soaking them overnight.

How to Soak Walnuts Fast

There are no quick soak methods for walnuts because of their structure and nutrition. Normally quick soak methods employ heat to catalyze the soaking process. In the case of walnuts, this won’t work; instead, it will decrease the nutritional value of walnuts.

Also, you necessarily don’t need to soak walnuts. We only recommend soaking walnuts because it makes them healthier and more nutritious. If you don’t have a lot of time, then you can use your walnuts as they are.

If you want the nutritional benefits of walnuts, but don’t want to go through the whole process, then there are alternatives. You could, for example, get some Barkthins Snacking Dark Chocolate with a walnut-ty twist. You could also get some Larabar Paleo Bars, which include walnuts, raisings and a lot more nutritious additions.

Sources

• Now-That’s-Vegan
• Times-Of-India
• Veganosity