Activating almond

In the previous post about 7 Simple Steps to #HealthyEating I've mentioned that I often take with me a zip-lock bag full of activated almonds. Many of you started asking what activated almonds mean to be. So here we go with an explanation…
 
The first time I've heard this term happened when I was in States. I've entered an organic shop and saw a package saying «Activated Almonds» and just bought it without paying any attention on the meaning. I really liked those almonds and started buying them constantly. But the difference between those almonds and the others I understood way later. As it turned out that activated almonds simply are raw almonds soaked in water. But what makes them so special? In fact, those nuts which are available on our market are «sleeping». They contain enzyme inhibitors (substances which alter canalyc action of the enzymes) whose function is to protect a baby-nut and prevent germination in dry conditions. When inhibitors get in contact with our digestive system they impede nutrients absorption.  But when you soak nuts in water you neutralize the those inhibitors and fool the nut – it gets excited to get activated and starts its germination process.
 

How to Activate Almonds? 

Basically, almonds presented on our market are roasted and salted as well. They, like other nuts, get roasted in order to enhance their taste and flavor and to extend their shelf life. To be honest, I also think that  those are not good-quality nuts cause roasting and salting them makes them look and taste better.
 
Well, for activation we need raw almonds only. Unfortunately, since they are not in a great demand, it will take some time to find them. For me it usually takes 2 days or 2 trips to a market to get them. The first time, I come and tell the seller that I need raw nuts and next day he gives me my desired product. The last time when he gave me my 2 kilos  of almonds, he told that Almaty gets only 15 kilos of raw almons per month.
 
So once you've got your raw almonds, we are ready to activate them. Take a cup of almonds, rinse them and put in a glass bowl which needs to be filedl with clean filtered water. Leave your nuts there overnight, and in the morning rinse them thouroughly – this is very important since the soaking water would contain the enzyme inhibitors, which we don;t want to be in our almonds. 
 

 
 It's better to activate a small amount of almonds since they are not a long-lasting product (it's about 3 days in the room temperature or a week, if you keep them refrigerated).

 

Taste and nutritional properties of activated almonds exceed the dry ones. You will immediatedly notice the difference after trying them for the first time. And if you include them into your daily diet, you will will feel tons of benefits… and absence of heaviness and bloating, which might appear after eating roasted almonds, is one of them. A source of active enzymes and fibers, this nut will become your healthy snack. Go forward and find you raw almonds!