Sprouting Nuts and Seeds

Raw nuts or seeds can have a bitter taste; this is due to enzyme inhibitors. These inhibitors can affect the digestion of the nuts and seeds. Soaking or roasting the nuts and seeds remove the enzyme inhibitors.

The high heat from roasting will remove the enzyme inhibitors but will destroy many of the nutrients.  Soaking them will keep them more nutritious and bring out the natural sweet flavor of the nuts and seeds.

The enzyme inhibitors are washed away when the nuts and seed are soaked; also the digestion of the of the proteins and carbohydrates begins.  Bonus is that the soaking removes 30% of the oil content making nuts and seeds easier on the liver and digestion and of course less calories.

They are not actually sprouted just soaked (3 to 12 hours) which starts the sprouting process. Best not to soak for more then the recommended time as  as the sweetness leaves them.

Directions on How to Sprout Nuts & Seeds:

  • Look over nuts and seeds
  • remove stones, brown or yellow and broken nuts or seeds
  • Rinse nuts or seeds
  • Put each type of seed or nut in individual jars then cover with purified water, leave the lid off and soak for right amount of time (see below). Best to change the water 2 or 3 times while soaking if you can
  • Drain, put lid on and store in the fridge
  • Use them up in two to three days
  • When ready, rinse nuts or seeds
  • Store in refrigerator, in sprouting environment or in other suitable container until ready to use
  • If not used within 12 hours, seeds should be rinsed every 24 hours and kept in the refrigerator. Best to eat as soon as possible, as freshness is what makes sprouts special!

Almonds: Soak 10 – 12 hours. Use only unblanched raw almonds. If refrigerated will last up to 4 days or sprouts may turn rancid. Note: All US almonds have been heated so make sure the ones you buy are from Europe.

Pumpkin Seeds: Soak 6 – 8 hours. Eat within 2 days. Use hulled pumpkin seeds.

Sunflower Seeds: Soak 2 – 3 hours. Use hulled sunflower. Skim off seed skins when rinsing as they will make your sprouts spoil quickly. Best to eat them the same day or within 1 or 2 days.

Walnuts: Soak for 4 hours.  Eat within 2 – 3 days. They don’t really sprout because they are not a whole seed but soaking does make them more digestible; even Dr. Oz is a great fan of them.

Once the nuts and seeds are soaked, you can dehydrate at 105 degrees until they are completely dry. Then store in the refrigerator or freezer to keep them fresh.

Copyright © Diana Herrington

Source: http://realfoodforlife.com

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