Technique: Soaked Nuts
Especially for parents who feed their kids a lot of peanut butter (which should be made from soaked nuts) or dieters who are frequently snacking on nuts for a high-protein snack. Raw nuts, not properly treated, can actually be quite harmful. Here’s the basic philosophy: Our good friend, the “nut” requires soaking for 12 hours in sea-salt/water, rinsing and then low-temperature drying, in order for us to properly digest them. And why must we take this extra step? Raw nuts contain “enzyme inhibitors.” Our body produces enzymes to help us break down our food. Enzyme inhibitors are molecules that bind to these enzymes, rendering them useless. By clogging the delicate balance of digestion, nuts can give us a belly ache. Or, in my case, an itchy head. Yup. I began soaking my nuts and dehydrating them regularly because I noticed that when I ate raw nuts, my head itched. When I ate soaked & dehydrated nuts, it didn’t. Not being a scientist myself, I use my annoying head itchiness as a personal barometer! Not only does this process turn nuts into a truly healthy snack, but the finished product is so much more delicious. Raw nuts actually taste bitter to me now.
Ingredients:
nuts, as much or as little as you’d like
sea salt, approx 1 tbsp per 4 cups of nuts
filtered water, to generously cover nuts
Instructions:
Before bed – In a large glass bowl, combine nuts, sea salt and water. Stir. Cover and set in a warm place overnight, or for 12 hours. I use the lid of a pot to cover my bowl. I find a tea towel inches it’s way into the bowl, gets wet and leaks on the table!
In the AM (Oven Directions) – Preheat the oven to 150˚. Remove the lid to the nuts (no need to wash the lid!), rinse nuts well in a colander and spread onto a regular sheet pan in a single layer. Place in the oven for 12-24 hours, stirring occasionally. Remove. Cool completely before storage.
In the AM (Dehydrator Directions) – Remove the lid to the nuts (no need to wash the lid!), rinse nuts well in a colander and spread in a single layer onto a dehydrator tray lined with the mesh insert. Place into the dehydrator. Set the temperature to 150˚ for 12-24 hours. Remove. Cool completely before storage.
To Store – Store nuts in an airtight container. I store my nuts in the freezer to preserve their delicate oils and retain freshness.
Marija
I have the same experience with raw nuts and I LOVE soaked and dehydrated nuts. I have been buying mine but want to save money by making my own. Do you have a good source for bulk organic raw nuts? Also, how long do you think these can stay in the freezer? (Mine will get eaten too quickly to worry about, but I am going to make some with a friend and he wanted to know how long they will store.) Thanks!
Molly Chester
I buy mine from a family farm at the Santa Monica Sunday market. If you are in CA, I recommend them… their name is escaping me right now. As for the freezer, I would say at least 2 months, but I bet much, much longer. Mine always go, too!
Don
I purchase Pumpkin seeds in bulk from the Superior Nut Store. http://www.superiornutstore.com.
So far I find that Trader Joe is competitive in small quantities for other type nuts.
Molly Chester
Yes Don, and I like to get my nuts from a nearby farmers’ market. They sell nuts that are grown organically, but without the certification, so I can get them a bit cheaper with the quality still intact. Thanks for sharing!
Noah KL
Free ground shipping on all bulk orders.
Jennifer Brown
I was reading that “raw” does not necessarily mean unpasteurized. (this boggles my mind)
So, being new to this, if I buy raw nuts from nuttyguys.com or something until I find a more local or better source, and if they are pasteurized, will the soaking/dehydrating method make them dangerous to consume? (i.e. cause mold?)
And how do you find a raw nut that is not pasteurized if the label does not have to specify?
Molly Chester
Geez… it’s so confusing sometimes, isn’t it. I am guessing a little on this answer, but here are my thoughts: I believe that when you soak a pasteurized almond, you will still help in removing the enzyme inhibitors and sometimes they will even sprout, however you would get more action from a truly raw almond. I don’t believe that you will have a problem with mold, as long as you dehydrate them property as you normally would. I am not familiar with nuttyguys.com, but a local farmer’s market is always a great place to find them, when you get a chance to seek them out. And as for “raw” not being regulated, I don’t have a great guideline for you, other than knowing your farmer. Good luck! Keep looking. I know you’ll be happy when you find that perfect source.
Chelsea
Quick question: Do you think I could dehydrate almonds in the oven for 6 hrs one evening, let them linger on a plate overnight, and do the rest of the baking the following day? 12-24 hours of the oven on wouldn’t fly in this household (24 for almonds, yes?). Thanks!!
Molly Chester
Yes, you can, however, you will lose some of the texture. They won’t be quite as snappy and puffed up. They will kind of shrink a bit.
Verity
My oven does not go to such a low temperature and I don’t have a dehydrator – is there any other method for dehydrating the nuts that you would recommend? Thank you!!
Karen
My oven only goes down to 170 and they came out perfect. Don’t adjust the time, continue to cook for at least 12 hours, I shortened the time (8 hours) this last time and I was a bit disappointed. They weren’t quite as crisp.
Also, I recommend if soaking pecans, soak them separately, they have a color that blead into the cashews, my son didn’t think they were very appealing. I’m very new at this, no expert, just trial and error. Good luck! :o)
Molly Chester
Love your feedback Karen – thanks! I’ve never soaked Pecans with Cashews, so that is a great tip to know. Thanks for jumping in!
Molly Chester
Hi Verity – Sorry for the delay, but I see you’ve already gotten the great answer from a reader! Yes, you can use the oven on the lowest setting.
sheila
So glad to read this. I’ve had problems with an itchy head as well and I’ve recently started eating raw nuts as I’ve focused on a whole foods diet. Will definitely start soaking/dehydrating to see if this makes a difference for me.
Jennifer Brown
I’m embarrassed for even asking this- like I can’t deduce the process myself, but, if you gut a fresh pumpkin and clean the seeds…then do you go ahead and soak them and dehydrate them, or do you have to dry them, soak them, then dehydrate them?
Mendee Chance
Can you give some explanation about the itchy head? We’ve been experiencing this in my household and I would love to know the reason behind it if you know. It can be maddening and torturous and I would love to get rid of it. Thanks for any insight you may have. (it’s not lice, we’ve been checked) Oh, and also, doesn’t any heat over 115 degrees kill the enzymes?