In this guide
Quick answer
The main benefit of soaked almonds is practical: after a night in water, badam turns soft, easy to chew and easy to peel, and the nutrition of the almond is still there. Almonds themselves are rich in protein, fibre, vitamin E and magnesium, and soaking is simply the way most Indian homes have always eaten them.
At our counter, “which badam is best for soaking” comes up nearly every day. Here is what we tell people.
Why people soak almonds
- Texture. A dry almond is hard and crunchy. A soaked one is soft and slightly milky, which older family members and children find far easier to chew.
- The skin comes off. After soaking, the brown skin slips off between two fingers. Many people prefer the taste without it, as the skin can be slightly bitter.
- Tradition. A few soaked badam first thing in the morning is a habit passed down in many families, often given to children before school or exams.
- Digestion, as people see it. Many say soaked almonds sit more lightly on the stomach. Some also soak them to reduce phytic acid, a natural compound in nuts; the research on how much soaking changes that is mixed, so we would not lean on it.
What soaking does not do is add anything. The almond does not gain nutrition in the water. It becomes easier to eat, and for a lot of people that is what makes a daily habit stick.
How to soak almonds properly
- Count out the almonds for one day and rinse them.
- Put them in a small bowl and cover them with clean drinking water, with at least a finger’s depth above them. They swell.
- Cover the bowl and leave it for eight to twelve hours, usually overnight. In hot weather, put it in the fridge.
- In the morning, drain and throw away the soaking water.
- Pinch each almond so the skin slips off, and eat them.
Soak only one day’s worth at a time. Soaked almonds kept for longer turn slimy and sour, even in the fridge.
How many soaked almonds a day
The common household amount is five to eight almonds, and many adults have up to ten or so. For reference, about 20 to 23 almonds make up 30 g, a standard serving of nuts. Almonds are high in calories, so a handful is plenty. If you are watching your weight, have a heart condition, have a nut allergy, or are pregnant, ask your doctor what amount suits you.
What 100 g of almonds contains
Approximate figures for raw almonds from standard food composition tables. Soaking adds water weight but does not change these amounts per almond.
| Per 100 g of almonds | About |
|---|---|
| Energy | 580 kcal |
| Protein | 21 g |
| Fat | 50 g, mostly monounsaturated |
| Carbohydrate | 22 g |
| Dietary fibre | 12 g |
| Vitamin E | 25 mg |
| Magnesium | 270 mg |
| Calcium | 270 mg |
One practical note: much of the fibre sits in the skin, so peeling removes a little of it. If you do not mind the taste, you can eat soaked almonds with the skin on.
Mamra or regular badam for soaking
Both soak well. The difference is in the almond, not the soaking.
| Mamra badam | Regular badam | |
|---|---|---|
| Shape | Smaller, curved, boat-like | Larger, flat, even |
| Oil | Noticeably oilier | Less oily |
| Taste after soaking | Sweeter, richer | Mild |
| Price | Around ₹2,900–₹3,600 a kilo | Around ₹990–₹1,120 a kilo |
Prices on this page were checked in September 2026 and are a guide only. Dry fruit rates change with the crop and the season, so our product pages always show today’s price.
Families who soak a few badam a day often choose Mamra, because the count is small and the flavour is richer. Mamra Badam Regular is the one most people buy for this, and Mamra Badam Jumbo is the larger size. If you are soaking for a whole household, or also grinding almonds into milk or halwa, Regular Badam makes more sense at a third of the price.
We have written separately about what separates Mamra from Californian almonds. Everything else is on our almonds shelf. Delivery is free on every order, and orders start at ₹1,500.
Questions people ask
How long should almonds be soaked?
Eight to twelve hours, which in practice means overnight. Much longer and they start to turn slimy.
Should I peel soaked almonds?
That is a matter of taste. Most Indian homes peel them because the skin can be slightly bitter, but the skin does carry some of the fibre.
Can I soak almonds in milk instead of water?
Yes, some people do. Keep it in the fridge overnight so the milk does not spoil.
Are soaked almonds better than roasted almonds?
They are different ways of eating the same nut. Roasted almonds are crunchy and convenient; soaked ones are softer and easier to chew. Pick the one you will actually eat.
Written at our counter, where these questions get asked every week.
