Because chickpeas need to be soaked is a question that many cooking and food and wine enthusiasts ask themselves, especially when they approach the preparation of recipes in which they are the protagonists. The answer to this question not only reveals a fundamental aspect of traditional cuisine but also opens the door to a better understanding of how to treat legumes in general. The soaking of chickpeas, in fact, is not an arbitrary passage, but an action that has a profound impact on quality of the final dish, on the digestibility of the legume and on reduction of cooking times.
Because chickpeas need to be soaked
Soaking chickpeas is a practice that has its roots in culinary tradition and has multiple justifications, both practical and nutritional. First, soaking allows you to rehydrate chickpeas, which having been dried for conservation, have lost much of their water content. This process not only shortens cooking times, making them softer in less time, but also helps make the chickpeas more tender easy to digest.
Another fundamental aspect concerns the reduction of phytates, compounds naturally present in legumes that can limit the absorption of minerals such as iron and zinc. Soaking, especially if prolonged and in warm water, helps to reduce the concentration of these antinutrients, thus improving the nutritional profile of the final dish.
Additionally, soaking water tends to absorb some of the soluble sugars present in chickpeas, which are among the main responsible for the production of intestinal gas. Drain the chickpeas from the soaking water and rinse them before cooking can therefore help to make the legume more Kind on the stomach.
The temperature soaking water also plays an important role. Warm or room temperature water promotes the rehydration process and the reduction of phytates, while cold water can slow these processes.
As we have seen, soaking chickpeas is not a culinary whim, but a practice with solid scientific and traditional foundations that improves the quality of the final dish in many respects. Whether you are dealing with a simple soup or more elaborate recipes such as chickpea cutlets, never underestimate the importance of this step. In short, dedicating time to soaking chickpeas is an investment in the success of your dish and in the well-being of those who will consume it.