Soaked almonds are also known as activated almonds and have been enjoyed by most Middle Eastern people since ancient times.
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Soaking almonds is second nature to me, I’ve been eating them since childhood. But a word of warning - they are addictive!
If you ever visit a Middle Eastern restaurant or club, more than likely this will be served to you as part of an appetiser or snack.
Sometimes soaked almonds feature as part of a mezze.
Anytime I have served my non-Arab guests' activated almonds, the question always raised is “how do you make your almonds like this?” So it’s time for me to share.
This recipe is so easy and healthy. Learn how to soak almonds for better digestion.
😋Why you’ll love this recipe
- They are soft & easy to eat and digest
- A super healthy cold snack
- Ridiculously simple to prepare and stored
✔️What You’ll Need
🥘Ingredient Notes
Almonds - only use natural almonds. Do not use pre-cooked or flavoured almonds.
Try and seek out the freshest natural and organic almonds* to yield the best result. Use whole almonds rather than chopped.
Why go organic vs conventional? To avoid pesticide and added nasties and chemicals.
Water - use filtered room temperature water.
🔪How to Soak Almonds
Step 1 - Add almonds* to a soaking container.
Step 2 - Add water, ensure all almonds are completely covered. Seal well and store in the refrigerator overnight at a minimum.
Step 3 - Scoop out desired portion and drain of water. Serve cold.
✔️Soaked Almond Benefits
Whilst there is conflicting information about soaked almond benefits, here are a couple of benefits with a link to the source.
Soaking almonds are much easier to digest, helping the digestive system absorb all its essential nutrients.
A study published in the Journal of Food Science (1), found that eating raw, soaked almonds helped empty the stomach faster and also made digesting proteins easier.
Eating almonds this way deactivates the enzyme inhibiting compound (found on the skin of the almond) and initiates the release of an essential lipase, that helps in the proper breakdown of fat; improving digestion and absorption of nutrients.
This is why they are called activated almonds. Sampath, P., 2021. 6 reasons eating soaked almonds are great for your health | TheHealthSite.com. [online] Thehealthsite.com. Available at: <https://www.thehealthsite.com/diseases-conditions/health-benefits-of-soaked-almonds-187740/6/> [Accessed 11 May 2021].
💡How to eat soaked almonds?
Soaked almonds can be enjoyed plain, almonds are naturally mildly sweet.
Add a splash of freshly squeezed lemon juice for a citrus flavour - I personally love this.
A sprinkle of salt if desired - though we Lebanese do not usually do this
💭Pro Tips
Change water daily, as it will turn murky due to the almond skins. Daily water change keeps the almonds fresher.
If you forget to change the water one day; simply drain water, rinse almonds and top up with fresh water.
Store activated almonds for up to 5-7 days in the refrigerator, if they last that long!
Ensure soaked almonds are stored covered - use either a snap-lock container or a glass bowl sealed with cling wrap.
Ensure the almond to water ratio is 2:1, as the almonds will swell when soaked and need to be full submerged.
The skin of soaked almonds will easily come off.
Activated almond skins can be eaten too.
🥘Related recipes
Looking for more vegan almond recipes? Try my healthy crunchy nuts clusters, they are so addictive!
Or another healthy snack is roasted pumpkin seeds without oil
Did you enjoy learning how to soak almonds? I would love to hear from you, leave me a comment below and give me a rating. This will help me sustain Plant Based Folk.
Alternatively, did you happen to take a photo? Tag me @plantbasedfolk on Instagram to be featured via stories.
Janelle x
📖 Recipe
Soaked Almonds (Activated Almonds)
Instructions
- Add almonds in the soaking container.
- Add water, ensure all almonds are completely covered. Seal well and store in the refirgerator overnight at minimum.
- Scoop out desired portion and drain of water. Serve cold.
Video
Notes
- Servings based on a small handful
💡How to eat soaked almonds?
- Soaked almonds can be enjoyed plain, almonds are naturally mildly sweet.
- Add a splash of freshly squeezed lemon juice for a citrus flavour
- A sprinkle of salt if desired - though we Lebanese do not usually do this
💭Pro Tips
- Change water daily, as it will turn murky due to the almond skins. Daily water change keeps the almonds fresher.
- If you forget to change the water one day, simple drain water, rinse almonds and top up with water.
- Store activated almonds for up to 5-7 days in the refrigerator, if they last that long
- Ensure soaked almonds are stored covered - use either a snap-lock container or a glass bowl sealed with cling wrap.
- Ensure the almond to water ratio is 2:1, as the almonds will swell when soaked and need to be full submerged.
- The skin of soaked almonds will easily come off.
- Activated almond skins can be eaten too.
Equipment
Nutrition
N.B., nutrition info is an estimate based on an online nutrition calculator. This will vary based on the specific ingredients you use.
Sylvia
We heard about soaking almonds, but were not sure how to do it so this site was an excellent help.
Janelle Hama
Glad to be of help! It's great to hear I was able to assist you. Enjoy your delicious, soaked almonds! 🙂
Angel
added these to the meghli recipe of yours and snacking on these too. please keep sharing your recipes, I'm glad I found your food. Thanks alot