raw nut and seed butters

[whitecotton]

Hi Rebecca, I've read that oils like from flax and hemp seeds turn rancid really fast . Do nut and seed butters turn rancid too? When the nuts and seeds are ground up the oil is exposed to air and seems like can turn rancid fast. Do you know anything about stability of nut and seed butters? I want to start buying butter from sprouted or soaked nuts and seeds but not sure if they are good for us unless freshly made? Thank you.

[Rebecca]

Yes, as they oxidize (due to age, temperature or exposure to light) nut and seed butters become rancid. And those containing the omega-3 fatty acids (like flax, pumpkin and hemp) are the most vulnerable. Please see http://rwood.com/Articles/Fat_and_Oil_Guide.htm

To make nuts and seeds, or their butter, more digestible you may either first toast (but toasting compromises their fatty acids) or soak them. Soaking nuts and seeds also involves drying them and is a time intensive process.

For the freshest butters, making your own is always first choice and it is by far the most economical. I hope this helps.

[whitecotton]

Thank you so much Rebecca. Living naturally is very time consuming but as I learn how to manage my life better it becomes easier and like it should be. One more question if I grind my own flax seeds can I put them in my pancakes or bread or will it turn rancid when heated. Thank you.

[Rebecca]

Best not to cook with flax seeds for that will denature their omega-3 fatty acids.

[mellie]

Hi Rebecca, I soaked some raw almonds, pumpkin seeds and sunflower seeds for about 10 hours then just blenderize them without drying. Are they safe to eat? I saw where you wrote they should be dried first. Also do you know how long they will stay fresh in the frig after soaking and blenderizing? Thanks!

[Rebecca]

Soaked seeds and nuts must first be dried if you're going to make them into a butter or if you want their finished texture to be dry.

Once soaked, they don't have a long shelf life. In a few days, they'll start tasting/smelling sour and you'll want to toss them.