Raw Living has one of the most extensive activated nut and seed ranges available. This guide covers what activation actually is, where the practice comes from, and everything in our activated line.
🌰 What Does Activated Actually Mean?
To put it simply, the process of activation means to soak and then dehydrate something at a low temperature. It is a process that can be applied to nuts, seeds and grains and has been practised in different forms globally for thousands of years.
📜 A Brief History of Nut and Grain Activation
Traditions of soaking, sprouting and fermenting can be found in nearly all pre-industrialised peoples. It wasn't a niche practice, but a norm before industrial food processing took over. Both Ayurvedic and Persian traditional medicines have records of recommending soaking nuts to aid digestion, and descriptions of digestive problems resulting from eating unprocessed nuts.
The most documented examples of activation processes that match our modern approach lie with the Aztecs, who used a soak-then-dry practice to get the most out of their nuts and seeds. They would soak things in salt water and then later sun-dry them.
✨ The Benefits of Activation
Nuts, seeds and grains carry natural defences against digestion — the aim is to survive the digestive system intact so they can sprout and grow into new plants once they've passed through the body. This natural protection means the nut or seed is not in its most nutritionally accessible state when eaten raw and unprepared.
Soaking starts the sprouting process and thereby the breakdown of the tough outer shells whole foods can carry. It also reduces the phytic acid and enzyme inhibitors that occur naturally in raw nuts and seeds. Phytic acid is known to bind to minerals in the digestive tract, which can stop your body from absorbing them.
The main purpose of dehydration is to remove the moisture and restore shelf-stability. Keeping the temperatures below the threshold at which living enzymes are destroyed preserves the full nutritional integrity of the raw nut, whilst allowing it to stay nice and fresh for much longer.
Many people find activated nuts a gentler option - though of course this does not apply to those with nut allergies.
🌿 Our Raw Living Activated Line
All Raw Living's activated products are soaked in fresh spring water. Tap water in the UK contains chlorine and fluoride specifically added to kill off microorganisms. These chemicals may affect the natural enzymatic activity we're trying to preserve through the activation process — so if you're planning to replicate the process yourself, we'd always recommend using filtered water for the best results.
All of the products in this line are of course raw and organic too!
🌰 Nuts
Walnuts are generally agreed to be one of the nuts which benefit most from the activation process! They are covered in a thick layer of tannins which are removed during the soaking process. Walnuts are high in omega-3 fatty acids (ALA), antioxidants, vitamin B6, folate, and plant-based protein and fibre. You can enjoy them here both plain or salted.
Almonds are another which benefit well from soaking, due to the tannins in their skins. They're a great source of vitamin E, magnesium, and monounsaturated fats. They also contain plant-based protein, fibre and essential minerals such as manganese and copper. Our plain activated almonds have a lovely crunchy texture and slightly salty flavour - you can also find them flavoured with turmeric here.
Our activated Brazil nuts come straight from the Amazon jungle! They're a famously good source of selenium, are of course rich in protein and healthy fats, and also contain vitamin E and a natural mineral content. As with the walnuts, they come either plain or salted.
Sharing a similar composition to walnuts, pecans definitely suit a good soaking! They're a great source of healthy fats, including monounsaturated fats, plant-based protein, natural antioxidants, and essential minerals such as manganese, copper and zinc. You can find them activated and ready to go here.
🌻 Seeds
First on the list with seeds are pumpkin - they were a staple of the Aztecs who were documented activating theirs many centuries ago! They're a good source of essential minerals including magnesium, zinc and iron, healthy fats including omega-6 and monounsaturated fats, and natural antioxidants such as vitamin E and carotenoids. We use only the best quality, grown in Europe - you can find them here.
Sunflower seeds contain a polyphenol unique to them called chlorogenic acid, which acts much the same as phytic acid, and are arguably better served by the activation process than many others on this list. They also share many of the same benefits as the rest of the products on this list, including protein, essential minerals, vitamin E and healthy fats - you can find them here.
We've been making Sunseeds for around twenty years, making it one of the original Raw Living products! They're made from a base of soaked sunflower and pumpkin seeds, which are then marinated with tamari and spices and dehydrated. They come in two flavours: spirulina and shiitake. The Spirulina are enhanced with garlic, cayenne and baobab, whilst the Best Taste Bronze Award-winning Shiitake are seasoned with smoked paprika, chipotle and balsamic.
🥣 Mixes
Our mixed activated nuts are also Great Taste Award-winning — a tasty blend of almonds, brazils, pecans and walnuts, soaked and dehydrated in the traditional way. They come with a sprinkle of Celtic sea salt and have a delicious crunch from the dehydration process. They come both plain or salted.
Hi-Trail was the first product we ever made, all the way back in 2005! It combines activated seeds with Goji, Schizandra, Cinnamon, Cacao Nibs and Mulberries. It's a balanced and satisfying mix, perfect for a quick snack that both nourishes and satisfies. You can grab yourself a bag here.
FAQs:
Q: How long should you soak nuts and seeds? A: It depends on the nut or seed. As a general rule, harder nuts and seeds with higher phytic acid content require a longer soak. Almonds and sunflower seeds typically need at least 8 hours, while oilier nuts like pecans and walnuts require less, usually around 4-6 hours. Cashews and macadamias are the shortest soak foods, needing only 2-4 hours. Soaking for too long can begin to break down the beneficial oils in some nuts, so it's worth following specific guidelines for each.
Q: Why spring water and not tap water? A: Tap water in the UK contains chlorine and fluoride, added specifically to kill microorganisms. These compounds may interfere with the natural enzymatic activity that the soaking process is designed to preserve. Spring water is free from both and has a naturally balanced mineral content, making it the cleanest medium for the process. If spring water isn't available, filtered water is a good alternative.
Q: Can I activate nuts and seeds at home? A: Absolutely, the process is straightforward. Soak your chosen nuts or seeds in spring or filtered salted water for the appropriate amount of time, then drain, rinse and dry at a low temperature - ideally below 42°C to preserve living enzymes. A dehydrator is the most reliable way to achieve this, though an oven on its lowest setting can work. The main thing to ensure is that the nuts or seeds are completely dry before storing, to prevent mould.
Q: What is phytic acid and why does it matter? A: Phytic acid is a naturally occurring compound found in nuts, seeds and grains and part of the plant's natural defence system, designed to protect the seed until conditions for germination are right. It binds to minerals including iron, zinc, calcium and magnesium in the digestive tract, which can reduce their availability. Soaking in salted water begins the germination process, reducing phytic acid content and switching off the enzyme inhibitors that keep the seed dormant.
Every product in Raw Living's activated range has been soaked in fresh spring water and dehydrated at low temperatures - the traditional way, done properly.
