Soaking beans overnight, the most effective traditional method
According to Food Research International, soaking beans overnight for 8-12 hours with cold water is considered the optimal way to achieve the perfect texture. This process helps toase the beans absorb water slowly and regularly, keeping nutrients intact and reducing cooking time.
Nutritionist Garima Chaudhry (Health Shots, India) emphasizes: Overnight cold soaking is ideal for most types of beans, including kidney beans, black beans and chickpeas. This step not only helps the beans soften but also removes part of the sugar that causes bloating".
The implementation process is as follows:
Classify and clean: Remove rotten grains, gravel, and Helmetes.
Wash thoroughly: Beans are washed under cool water to remove dirt.
Soak overnight: Provide 10 cups of water for 450g of beans, leave for 8-12 hours.
Remove the soaking water: Remove the water containing the compound that causes indigestion before cooking.
Properly soaked beans will bloom evenly, quickly cook and taste better, especially suitable for cooking in soups or stews.
Quick soaking, a solution for busy people
In case of forgetting to prepare in advance, the method of soaking quickly with boiling water can "rescue" the meal. This method only takes about an hour but still ensures the beans are soft and easy to cook.
A study in the Journal of Food Science shows that hot soaking is clearly effective in breaking down anti-nutrient compounds, helping to shorten cooking time without losing many nutrients.
How to do it:
Wash the beans using traditional methods.
Boil beans for 2-3 minutes with a ratio of 5 cups of water for 1 cup of dried beans.
turn off the heat, cover and soak in hot water for 1 hour.
Remove the soaking water and rinse before processing.
Expert Garima Chaudhry affirmed: "If you don't have much time, soaking quickly is a useful alternative, helping the dish retain the necessary flavor and softness".
The secret to making bean sprouts perfect
The first thing that cannot be ignored is the step of classification and washing. This is a step to help remove impurities, dirt and sand and ensure safety when cooking. In addition, the soaking water temperature also needs to be correct: cold water for overnight soaking and boiling water for quick soaking.
No matter which method you choose, following the correct technique will help you avoid tofu, indigestion. A bowl of stewed beans or fatty, soft bean soup is the result of careful preparation right from the soaking stage.
