soaking grains for porridge, etc

[wide-eyed]

Hey all,

So I've recently started soaking our grains for various types of porridge (mainly oats, but also rice, quinoa, corn grits) and I have to admit, my family hates the sour taste. I only use a tablespoon or so of yogurt in the soaking water, but it does change the taste. I don't love it, myself. Is it absolutely necessary to use an acidic component in the soaking process? Would it be worthless to soak the grains in plain water?

Thanks in advance for advice!

[goldenwillow]

We just soak in water, nothing else. I do soak for a couple days vs one. I just am sure to change out the water each day. Sometimes we go 3 days due to scheduling issues. No, not worthless with just water. I find I am able to digest the grains easier.

[Brigio]

Try using less yogurt or try just soaking in whey or lemon juice is good too. Unfortunately just water does not do the same thing.

[New_Natural_Mom]

We soak with vinegar (apple cider vinegar.) Plain water does not really work. The water should also be warm as well.

[wide-eyed]

Thanks for your thoughts! Wonder if either vinegar or lemon juice results in a less sour taste?

[cheenya]

Originally Posted by wide-eyed

Thanks for your thoughts! Wonder if either vinegar or lemon juice results in a less sour taste?

I've used yogurt, whey, lemon juice, and vinegar at different times. They each add a different taste. Some are better in different recipes than others. I find the lemon juice to be the most mild. I also do soak in plain water sometimes. It may not be as good as soaking in an acid, but I do not believe it is worthless either, and there are times the taste is more important. If my family won't eat the grains I soak - what was the point in soaking them?

[CherryBomb]

I dump the soak water and rinse the grain, it cuts down on the sour taste. IDK if that's considered "right" or not, but it works for us.

[Jenn_M]

I just used lemon juice this week and it was too sour for me. I didn't rinse before cooking though, maybe that would have made a difference.

[Holiztic]

I use whey and can't taste it at all. I cook my porridge with a smidge of maple syrup and plenty of spices, so maybe those flavors just cover the whey.

We used to use lemon juice and that was terrible!