Goji berries

[yuri]

Hi all;

This is my first post. I would like to find out for how long should I soak Goji berries before add them to smoothies? Currently I am just adding them dry, but I think it is better to pre-soak them. Is overnight soaking too long?
Also, what will be better source of Omega-3 in my smoothies: ground flax seeds, flaxseed oil or Chia seeds?

Thanks,
Yuri

[greenbunny]

Hi Yuri,

If you have a vitamix I would imagine that they wouldn't need to be soaked but if you have a regular old blender you could soak the berries over night in the fridge and they will be soft and ready for you any time the next day. Make sure they are covered in the fridge and that you use the soak water in your smoothie.

In terms of omega 3 fatty acids it also depends on your blender. The best form is from soaked flax seeds (flax seeds also have enzyme inhibitors unless soaked) which can be dehydrated if you want some always on hand and put into your vitamix or blendtec. If you have a regular blender like I do right now flax seed oil is best.

I don't know much about chia seeds. Are they high in omega 3 and are they yummy?

Greenbunny

[yuri]

Hi Greenbunny,

Thanks for the reply. Why do you think Goji berries wouldn’t need to be soaked if blended in Vitamix? I am currently use regular blender, but Vitamix is coming sometimes next week. After reading your posts about enzyme release with presoaking nuts I though that it will be the same with berries.

Chia is loaded with omega-3 oils, high-quality proteins, fibers and lots of minerals. I've never tried.

Yuri

[greenbunny]

Hi Yuri,

Congratulations on your vitamix!!! You are going to just love it. It's got a motor like a jet engine and is just as loud, but what power it has. With just a little water I'm sure you could make unsoaked goji berries into paste if you wanted to. It can powder just about any dried food and you will be able to make your own nutbutters without adding anything besides the nuts. Do you have a dehydrator yet? You can soak the nuts, dehydrate them and then put them in the vitamix to make nutbutters.

Fruits are the ovaries of the plants that are designed to hold the seeds that will grow and entice animals (like us) to pick them up, eat the fruit and disperse the seeds. Fruit is freely given to us by the plant with the explicit purpose of having us eat it. You cannot soak the fruit expecting it to grow a little and release inhibitors like you can with seeds. Actually avocados and tomatoes are techniquely fruits as well. I believe that fruit skins do have some enzyme inhibitors in them to prevent the fruit from rotting fast. Fruit, even fruits that have skins not desinged to be pealed (like berries) are incredibly digestable. Perhaps those kinds have less enzyme inhibitors in their skins or perhaps the fruit inside has the extra enzymes to help deal with the inhibitors - but those are just guesses. What I do know is that soaking fruit won't make it any more digestable as it does with seeds. The only thing that mighthelp is peeling your fruit.

I thought that you were asking about soaking goji berries just because you needed a soft berry like you would for a lame blender like the one I am using now.

I soak goji berries to put them in my soaked granola. It's soft and yummy that way.

Hope you have great fun with your new toy.

Greenbunny

[yuri]

Originally Posted by greenbunny

you could soak the berries over night in the fridge and they will be soft and ready for you any time the next day. Make sure they are covered in the fridge and that you use the soak water in your smoothie.

Hi greenbunny,

Why berries have to be covered and why in the fridge?
Also, if I soak almonds overnight to use in the morning smoothie, should I cover them in the fridge as well? Why use soak water in the smoothies?
Sorry for too many questions, there is probably simple explanation to this.

Thanks,
Yuri