March 6, 2019
Activated nuts and seeds are extra crunchy, delightfully flavourful and packed with nutrition.
What is Activating?
It’s simply the process of soaking nuts in water, which kicks off the germination or sprouting process, followed by dehydrating the soaked nuts at low temperatures.
Raw nuts, seeds and grains can be activated. This process awakens the nut and increases the nutritional availability, the digestibility and provides a crunchy, sweet and bio-available nut. Choose organic nuts and seeds to ensure they have not been heated, treated or irradiated, as this “kills” the seed and it won’t activate.
The Benefits of Activating Nuts and Seeds
Nature is clever. In fact, all seeds, which includes some nuts and grains, contain natural chemicals that provide protection to ensure they only sprout when conditions will support the growth of young plants.
Enzyme inhibitors, phytic acid and tannins are all beneficial to the seed for storing energy for growth. But, they prevent the human body from accessing and absorbing the full extent of the nutrient. These inhibitors make raw nuts hard to digest, as they block enzyme activity and nutrient absorption. Soaking nuts and seeds can minimise or eliminate these natural compounds.
Nuts are a healthy snack, providing a source of plant-based protein, dietary fibre, antioxidants and important minerals such as calcium, zinc and magnesium. Activating nuts makes these nutrients more accessible to the body to utilise.
What about Roasted Nuts?
Many people love the flavour of roasted nuts. So, for maximum nutritional value, activate and dry nuts prior to roasting. As this adds extra time, it’s a good idea to do a large batch and store them in an air tight container.
Can I Activate Oats?
It’s also beneficial to soak oats, as it increases their nutritional value and digestibility. Swiss Bircher Muesli is traditionally soaked overnight for this very reason. Try this soaked Golden Overnight Oats recipe.
How to Activate
Activating at home is easy. Simply put 2 cups of nuts in a bowl and cover with filtered water and a small pinch of salt. Leave to soak for 7-12 hours, depending on the type of nut. Next, drain and rinse the nuts. Dry the nuts in a dehydrator for 12-24 hours to regain their crunchiness. This can also be done in an oven at its lowest setting. It is important to ensure all moisture has been removed to avoid the nuts going mouldy. The wet, soaked nuts can be eaten. Be sure to store them in the refrigerator and use them within a few days.
