Why did the beans shrivel when soaked?
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When soaking, the beans actively absorb water, especially if they are old, stored for a long time after harvesting and managed to dry a lot during this time. This process makes the subsequent cooking easier and quicker; without soaking, dry beans will take a long time to cook and are likely to remain tough. When soaking, remember that a lot of water will be required, the beans should be covered with a couple of centimeters in reserve. The pot should be large enough because the beans will swell a lot. For better water absorption, it is worth pouring boiling water over the beans before soaking - this will destroy the thin layer of natural wax that covers the grains and improve the water permeability of the shell. When saturated with moisture, the bean shell is likely to shrink - this is normal. Further, at cooking, it becomes smooth again.
Last update Author / Editor - Lydia Ivanova
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