Soaking beans and getting a bad bad smell

Dandelion · 07-21-2015, 06:11 AM

I soaked some chick peas, a lot of chick peas, for about 36 hours. When I drained the liquid ( just salt and water) this morning it smelled horrible. Rotten? Some of the chick peas had started to sprout, but otherwise I couldn't see anything odd. The liquid was yellow, like lemon juice, but the liquid usually takes on the color of the beans.

I decided to cook them anyway because it is 2lbs of chickpeas and I had planned to make something with them today and I really really don't want to go to the store. But now, even while they are cooking they still smell.

What would you do?!

houseforjoy · 07-21-2015, 06:55 AM

probably toss

or actually you have pregnant nose so maybe ask your kids if they think it smells first

but if they say it is stinky then toss. did you sort through first? sometimes just one bad bean can make the whole batch bad.

do you normally soak that long? because that does seem like a long time to soak unless you were rinsing and changing the water

Dandelion · 07-21-2015, 07:23 AM

I don't usually soak that long, but I got busy yesterday. It was also really hot here, so I think that contributed to the smell. The kids have definitely noticed the smell, it is not just me

. I haven't decided whether to toss them or not. I tried a cooked one and it tasted fine so

Little Forest · 07-21-2015, 07:30 AM

Toss.

houseforjoy · 07-21-2015, 07:33 AM

but a bad smell means they fermented with bad bacteria. fermenting is fine, and good many times, but a bad smell always means bad bacteria got in and their off gases is what give the bad smell. they may taste fine but you will risk an upset tummy if you decide to eat them

ShangriLewis · 07-21-2015, 08:29 AM

I would toss them.

BriansLovie · 07-21-2015, 08:29 AM

Definitely toss. Not worth the risk.

Pragmatist · 07-21-2015, 04:07 PM

I think beans always smell bad when soaking and cooking and I've never gotten sick from eating them.

CJNeeley · 07-28-2015, 11:56 AM

Sometimes when soaking lentils/split peas enough to spout I have noticed a strong "buttered popcorn" type of smell. I don't tend to try sprout beans though so I don't know what type of smell they might create... I think if i were in this situation I would rinse them well to see if the beans themselves stunk or it was something in the stagnant water (except of course, I probably wouldn't bother with such an off-putting task if I were pregnant and might toss them to not have to handle them more). If after well rinsed the beans themselves smelled fine I would probably use them but if not toss them.

I know nothing on where the food safety line falls here, but I would do this as a midpoint between salvaging the effort/money I'd already invested and ick factor... (Of course, I will not cook any food that stinks before it goes in the pan for fear the heat will just increase the intensity of the smell and disperse it thru my house.)

ETA: And I just noticed the date, so I reckon you already had to make a decision by know and my input was just silly. Ooops!

07-21-2015, 06:11 AM	#1
Dandelion Rose Garden Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 5,508	Soaking beans and getting a bad bad smell I soaked some chick peas, a lot of chick peas, for about 36 hours. When I drained the liquid ( just salt and water) this morning it smelled horrible. Rotten? Some of the chick peas had started to sprout, but otherwise I couldn't see anything odd. The liquid was yellow, like lemon juice, but the liquid usually takes on the color of the beans. I decided to cook them anyway because it is 2lbs of chickpeas and I had planned to make something with them today and I really really don't want to go to the store. But now, even while they are cooking they still smell. What would you do?! __________________ aka, mamacheetah, Nicole wife to one daydreamer mama to seven - six boys with a girl in there somewhere B 8/99 O1 5/03 V 6/05 M 7/07 L 11/10 H 11/12 O2 11/15

07-21-2015, 06:55 AM	#2
houseforjoy Rose Garden trying to live like olaf "this is the best day of my life!... and quite possibly the last!" Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: in the sunshine with my own personal flurry Posts: 9,563	Re: Soaking beans and getting a bad bad smell probably toss or actually you have pregnant nose so maybe ask your kids if they think it smells first but if they say it is stinky then toss. did you sort through first? sometimes just one bad bean can make the whole batch bad. do you normally soak that long? because that does seem like a long time to soak unless you were rinsing and changing the water __________________ Amanda, ENFJ Mommy to my bounty: ds 13 years, dd 12 years, dd 9 years , dd 6 and ds 4 Psalm 13 How long, O Lord? Will you forget me forever?How long will you hide your face from me? 2 How long must I take counsel in my soul and have sorrow in my heart all the day?....because I am shaken. 5 But I have trusted in your steadfast love; my heart shall rejoice in your salvation. 6 I will sing to the Lord, because he has dealt bountifully with me.

07-21-2015, 07:23 AM	#3
Dandelion Rose Garden Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 5,508	Re: Soaking beans and getting a bad bad smell I don't usually soak that long, but I got busy yesterday. It was also really hot here, so I think that contributed to the smell. The kids have definitely noticed the smell, it is not just me. I haven't decided whether to toss them or not. I tried a cooked one and it tasted fine so __________________ aka, mamacheetah, Nicole wife to one daydreamer mama to seven - six boys with a girl in there somewhere B 8/99 O1 5/03 V 6/05 M 7/07 L 11/10 H 11/12 O2 11/15

07-21-2015, 07:30 AM	#4
Little Forest Rose Garden Rich in girls. Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Perth hills, Australia Posts: 6,915	Re: Soaking beans and getting a bad bad smell Toss. __________________ A traditional Catholic mamma ISFJ, DYT Type 2/1, Steiner-inspired mother to: Sweet Pea-DD1, Jan 04, 1/4 Tiger Lily-DD2, Jan 06, 2/1 Buttercup-DD3, Feb 08, 2/4 Dandelion-DD4, Nov 10, 2/3 Honeysuckle-DD5 March 13, 2/4 And there is DH too, ISTJ, DYT 4/2, I think!

07-21-2015, 07:33 AM	#5
houseforjoy Rose Garden trying to live like olaf "this is the best day of my life!... and quite possibly the last!" Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: in the sunshine with my own personal flurry Posts: 9,563	Re: Soaking beans and getting a bad bad smell but a bad smell means they fermented with bad bacteria. fermenting is fine, and good many times, but a bad smell always means bad bacteria got in and their off gases is what give the bad smell. they may taste fine but you will risk an upset tummy if you decide to eat them __________________ Amanda, ENFJ Mommy to my bounty: ds 13 years, dd 12 years, dd 9 years , dd 6 and ds 4 Psalm 13 How long, O Lord? Will you forget me forever?How long will you hide your face from me? 2 How long must I take counsel in my soul and have sorrow in my heart all the day?....because I am shaken. 5 But I have trusted in your steadfast love; my heart shall rejoice in your salvation. 6 I will sing to the Lord, because he has dealt bountifully with me.

07-21-2015, 08:29 AM	#6
ShangriLewis Moderator in Vegetarianism & Veganism Arrange whatever pieces come your way. ~VW~ Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: North Dakota Posts: 16,446	Re: Soaking beans and getting a bad bad smell I would toss them. __________________ Heather The Prophet 23yob, The Peacemaker 20yob, The Warrior 17, The Little Flower 11yog and The Surfer 9yob and our little birdie girl 4yo.

07-21-2015, 08:29 AM	#7
BriansLovie Rose Garden Striving to be a gentle mama and enjoying my littles. Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Virginia Posts: 7,696	Re: Soaking beans and getting a bad bad smell Definitely toss. Not worth the risk. __________________ Kara *Sharing life with a special man* Mama to J - 11, J - 9, & A - 5 & Two angels 9/2007 & 1/2008

07-21-2015, 04:07 PM	#8
Pragmatist Rose Garden Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Idaho Posts: 4,924	Re: Soaking beans and getting a bad bad smell I think beans always smell bad when soaking and cooking and I've never gotten sick from eating them. __________________ Sara (ISTJ) married to V since 7/99 Strawberry Shortcake- 3/07 Huckleberry Pie- 9/11

07-28-2015, 11:56 AM	#9
CJNeeley Rose Bush Join Date: Mar 2011 Posts: 329	Re: Soaking beans and getting a bad bad smell Sometimes when soaking lentils/split peas enough to spout I have noticed a strong "buttered popcorn" type of smell. I don't tend to try sprout beans though so I don't know what type of smell they might create... I think if i were in this situation I would rinse them well to see if the beans themselves stunk or it was something in the stagnant water (except of course, I probably wouldn't bother with such an off-putting task if I were pregnant and might toss them to not have to handle them more). If after well rinsed the beans themselves smelled fine I would probably use them but if not toss them. I know nothing on where the food safety line falls here, but I would do this as a midpoint between salvaging the effort/money I'd already invested and ick factor... (Of course, I will not cook any food that stinks before it goes in the pan for fear the heat will just increase the intensity of the smell and disperse it thru my house.) ETA: And I just noticed the date, so I reckon you already had to make a decision by know and my input was just silly. Ooops! Last edited by CJNeeley; 07-28-2015 at 12:00 PM.

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