why do you have to soak beans before making bean soup?

Answer 1

You really don't have to soak the beans prior to cooking but remember the beans are dry and must absorb water to tenderize them. By soaking them over night this gives the bean a chance to absorb water thus allowing them not only shorter cooking time but to take on more flavor while cooking.

Answer 2

Soaking your beans allows for shorter cooking time for dried beans and more flavor. It is not needed, but the most common way. It is also said that by rinsing the soaked beans before cooking there is less chance for the gassy aftermath that happens when the beans are eaten. Old wives tale or truth, only you can confirm for yourself, some swear by it and others deny it works.

Answer 3

Dried beans have to be re-hydrated. It takes a long time for water to be absorbed. If you put dry beans into soup broth, they will soak up the liquid, and maybe never get soft.

Answer 4

Triviabuff is right, not soaking thebeansjustmakes a longer cooking time. I have never soaked my beans and they always come out just fine. I may have to add liquid every now and then, but if u do it is never that much.

Answer 5

so the beans are able to absorb the flavors of the liquid - re-hydrating them also keeps the soup from getting too "sticky"