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Did you know that you might not be getting all the nutrients that you should be from your whole grains? Learn how to soak whole grains to get all those nutrients!
Switching from refined grains to whole grains is definitely a step in the healthy direction. However, did you know that you might not be getting all the nutrients that you should be from your whole grains?
Without first properly preparing your whole grains, you will rob yourself of many nutrients.
Phosphorus in the bran of whole grains is tied up in a substance called phytic acid. Phytic acid combines with iron, calcium, magnesium, copper and zinc in the intestinal tract, clocking their absorption. Whole grains also contain enzyme inhibitors that can interfere with digestion. Traditional societies usually soak or ferment their grains before eating them, processes that neutralize phytates and enzyme inhibitors and in effect, predigest grains so that all their nutrients are more available. Sprouting, overnight soaking, and old-fashioned sour leavening can accomplish this important predigestive process in our own kitchens. Many people who are allergic to grains will tolerate them well when they are prepared according to these procedures. – Nourishing Traditions, Sally Fallon
Did you get that?
Phytic acid will prevent the absorption of many nutrients in whole grains, unless you first soak, sprout, or ferment your whole grains.
So you should soak, sprout, or ferment your grains… today, we are focusing on soaking.
Why Should You Soak Whole Grains?
Soaking will help neutralize the phytic acid thus allowing nutrients to be properly absorbed.
As an added bonus, soaking will also expand the grains resulting in more quantity. Soaking also makes for lighter/not as dense whole grain products.
What Grains Should You Soak?
Oats, whole grain flours, brown rice, buckwheat, quinoa, millet.
Basically if it’s a whole grain/hasn’t been processed then it should be soaked.
How Long Should You Soak Whole Grains?
This depends on the whole grain as some have less phytate content.
General time amounts are as follows:
Brown rice, buckwheat, millet – the lowest on the phytate content – 7 hours
Oats – highest phytate content – 24 hours
All other grains – 12 – 24 hours
What Do You Soak Grains With?
Warm water/liquids
Acidic medium
What are Acidic Mediums?
Acidic mediums are what will help neutralize the phytic acid.
Acidic mediums include: cultured buttermilk, milk kefir, coconut kefir, cultured yogurt, whey, lemon juice or vinegar. Note: dairy products need to be cultured.
Where to Soak Whole Grains?
Soak at room temperature on your counter. Also make sure that you cover what you are soaking.
Soaking can be done in a rice cooker, pot, bread machine, or bowl.
How to Soak Whole Grains
Oats – Soak in half the amount of water called for in recipe along with 1 tbs acidic medium per cup of water. Soak for 24 hours. When you are ready to cook, boil the remaining half of water and then add the soaked grain. Should be ready in 5 minutes.
Quick Breads – Quick breads would be waffles, pancakes, muffins and so forth. Simply add 1 tbs acidic medium for every cup of water in the recipe. Mix as normal and soak 12-24 hours. If you happen to be making a recipe that calls for buttermilk, kefir, yogurt already simply soak the recipe as is, as you will already have your acidic medium.
Yeast Breads – Soak the flour, 1 tbs. acidic medium for every cup of water in the recipe. (However, leave out ½ cup of water for activating the yeast later) also add any oil and sweeteners. (You are soaking flour, acidic medium, water minus ½ cup, oils and sweeteners (if there are any). Cover and let soak 12- 24 hours. After soaking is completed, activate the yeast in the remaining water along with 1 tsp of honey. Then proceed to add your activated yeast to the soaked dough along with any remaining ingredients and finish baking as normal.
Brown Rice – Combine rice with your usual amount of water. Add 1-2 tbs acidic medium per cup of water. Soak for 7 hours. This is best done in the pot you will be cooking your rice in as you can then just cook as normal once the soaking process is finished.
How to Soak Whole Grains Recap:
Use 1 tbs acidic medium per 1 cup of water in recipe. Soak 12-24 hours. (unless brown rice) at room temperature.
Looking for some soaked recipes? Check these out:
Soaked Whole Wheat Pizza Crust
Soaked Whole Wheat Tortillas
I have a couple of yeast bread recipes that call for long rises in the fridge (18 hours to 3 days). Could I just add an acidic medium when I make the dough or does it have to come before the yeast?
It needs to come before the yeast. However, all you need to dough is mix the acidic medium with the flour, water, oil, sweetener (minus that 1/2 cup water and a bit of sweetening) let that soak at room temp for 12-24hrs then add in the rest of the ingredients and follow your recipe as normal. It's totally fine to finish your long rises in the fridge just do the soak first. In fact, I just made pizza a week ago and I had left over dough….so I had it in the fridge for almost a week. (oops) but oddly it was way better tasting then my first batch. So basically soaking must be done before any yeast (long rise or normal)
Thanks! I'll have to try that tomorrow with my rice 🙂
When I soak oatmeal , should I discard the liquid? thanks
You should probably keep the soaking liquid (odds are it will have actually absorbed into the oats)