How To Soak And Peel Almonds
The process of soaking almonds can seem a little confusing if you've never done it before. You need to know how long to soak them and how much water to use, and you might wonder what the point of this step is. Well, the answer is in this article! Read about the benefits of soaking your almonds as well as some tips for getting that peeling done.
Why you should soak almonds before using them
Almonds have an enzyme on their skin called amygdalin that can create cyanide if it's not removed. Soaking almonds in water for 8 hours will make them more nutritious by breaking down the amygdalin. After they soak, you'll need to wash them thoroughly and then dry them in a towel.
You should also peel the brown skin off of the almond before using them in your recipe.
How to soak almonds
Soaking the almonds overnight in water will reduce the number of phytates and enzyme inhibitors that are present. Another way to do this is by soaking almonds in a baking soda solution. The baking soda will cause the skins to separate from the almond. This will make them easier to peel after they have been soaked for 8 hours or so.
How to peel almonds
It is possible to peel the skin off almonds by soaking them in water. Slice open a lemon and place it along with 3-4 cups of water in a pot. Place the almonds in the lemon water and let them sit overnight. The next day, pour out the water and remove the lemon slices. Drain away any remaining liquid from the pot and dry off any excess water on the almonds with a towel or paper towel. Rub off as much of the skin as you can with your fingers. Once all of the skin has been removed, use a knife to chop up the almond meat into small pieces or a blender to grind them up into a powder.
What you can do with peeled, soaked almonds
Almonds are a rich source of fiber, protein, and vitamin E. Almond milk is also a great vegan alternative to milk from cows. Once you have soaked almonds and peeled them, you can use them in salads, sauces, or even freeze them for future use. You can also use almond flour as a replacement for wheat flour in baking recipes.