Soaking and Sprouting Seeds, Nuts and Grains
Raw seeds, grains and nuts should be soaked before using. Raw nuts and seeds have enzyme inhibitors on their surface that protect them while they grow. Soaking releases the inhibitors and significantly boosts the nutrition and digestability of nuts and seeds. Your tummy will feel better after eating them soaked than after eating them unsoaked. Some people like to add a little salt to the water before soaking to help speed up the process. After soaking, be sure to rinse seeds and nuts thoroughly with fresh pure water until it runs clear to remove the enzyme inhibitors that have been released into the water. It is also recommended to rinse soaking seeds and nuts 2-3 times during the soak.
After soaking, you can dehydrate at 105 degrees until the nuts/seeds are completely dry. Store in the refrigerator or freezer to keep them fresh. Use within 3 days.
The following chart gives a good guideline for soaking and sprouting times of the most common seeds, nuts and grains.
Soaking and Sprouting Chart
Seed, Nut or Grain |
Soak Time |
Sprout Time |
Adzuki |
12 hours |
3-5 days |
Alfalfa |
8 hours |
2-5 days |
Almonds |
8-12 hours |
12 hours |
Barley |
6-8 hours |
2 days |
Brazil Nuts |
Do not soak |
N/A |
Buckwheat |
6 hours |
2 days |
Cabbage |
4-6 hours |
4-5 days |
Cashews |
2-2 ½ hours |
N/A |
Chickpeas |
12 hours |
12 hours |
Clover |
4-6 hours |
4-5 days |
Corn |
12 hours |
2-3 days |
Cow Peas |
12 hours |
3-6 days |
Fenugreek |
8 hours |
3-5 days |
Flax |
8 hours |
N/A |
Green Peas |
12 hours |
2-3 days |
Hemp Seeds |
Do not soak |
N/A |
Kamut |
7 hours |
2-3 days |
Lentils |
8 hours |
12 hours |
Macadamia Nuts |
Do not soak |
N/A |
Millet |
8 hours |
2-3 days |
Mung Beans |
1 day |
2-5 days |
Mustard |
8 hours |
2-7 days |
Nuts (all others) |
6 hours |
N/A |
Oat Groats |
6 hours |
2 days |
Pecans |
4-6 hours |
N/A |
Pine Nuts |
Do not soak |
N/A |
Pistachio Nuts |
Do not soak |
N/A |
Pumpkin Seeds (hulled) |
8 hours |
1 day |
Quinoa |
2 hours |
1 day |
Radish |
8 hours |
2-4 days |
Red Clover |
8 hours |
2-5 days |
Rye |
8 hours |
3 days |
Sesame Seeds |
8 hours |
1-2 days |
Spelt |
7 hours |
2 days |
Sunflower Seeds (hulled) |
2 hours |
2-3 days |
Triticale |
12 hours |
2-3 days |
Walnuts |
4 hours |
N/A |
Watercress |
4-6 hours |
4-5 days |
Wheatberries |
7 hours |
2-2½ days |
Wild rice |
9 hours |
3-5 days |