Any tips to rehydrate dried beans in hard water? I tried a tsp of table salt, but no luck. I soak over night, but they stay hard. Cooking and cooling doesn't work either. Thanks and God bless.
This is the best method I have ever used I found it on Alton Brown's show on food TV. Using a large container with a lot of water, Put in a good amount of salt . The water should taste salty Put in beans making sure they are well cover with water (make sure water is still salty.) Put a cover on the beans and let set at least 24 hours room temperature. When ready to cook rinse beans well to remove all salt . This is very important It took several good rinses. Then cover with unsalted water and cook gently until tender. Wonder of all wonders it was the best best method I had ever used. (Thank you Alton Brown!)
You may have a little luck covering them with very cold water about 1" higher than the beans, then bringing them to a rolling boil and keeping them at a consistent boil for about 25 minutes. This replaces the overnight soak if you're making any kind of bean or split pea soup, too.
For hard water, add one fourth teaspoon baking soda per pound of beans during soaking. It says to never add soda above 1/4 teaspoon per pound because more than that will adversely affect the flavor and nutritive value.
A spoonful of baking soda should help to soften the water, but salt should be avoided as it toughens the beans. Age affects them too, so if they're older than six months you might consider buying some new as the older ones are harder. If it's still a problem you might use filtered water to soak. Good luck!
Login using the form on the top of the page to post feedback (if you are a registered user). If you have not yet registered, click here to do so. It's FREE!.
