Soaking beans at room temperature promotes fermentation (and yes, the beans get gassy) resulting in (you guessed it) a sour smell.
You can get rid of this by regularly changing the soaking water. This will reduce the smell, but it will soon recur. If you let the chickpeas sprout, the smell will further intensify, even if you keep changing the water.
It's not recommended to soak chickpeas or other pulses in the fridge for much longer than 48 hours, as they may start to ferment. Drain the chickpeas, give them a quick rinse, and they're ready to cook (see below).
How can you tell if dried chickpeas are bad or spoiled? The best way is to smell and look at the dried chickpeas: if the dried chickpeas develop an off odor, flavor or appearance, or if mold or insects appear, they should be discarded.
After the beans have soaked, drain and rinse them well. To cook the soaked beans, add them to a large pot, cover the beans with several inches of water, and bring everything to a boil. Reduce the heat and simmer until they reach your desired tenderness, 1 ½ to 2 hours.
Soaked chickpeas can be sealed in an airtight container and kept in the refrigerator for up to 3-5 days, or the freezer for up to 6 months. Once the chickpeas are cooked they can be refrigerated for 3-5 days or frozen for up to 6 months.
If your beans are left soaking for too long they begin to ferment. This starts happening around 48 hours at room temperature. If you soak your beans in the refrigerator, it will take three or four days before fermentation begins.
Dried chickpeas can last for up to a year when stored in a cool, dry place. Leftover chickpeas will last roughly 3 days in the fridge and 6 months in the freezer. Chickpeas should be completely dry before storing to avoid mushy leftovers.
Beans soaked longer than 12 hours can absorb too much water and lose their characteristic texture and flavor. If you plan to cook beans for dinner and you want to use the long-soak method, start soaking in the morning. To cook beans for lunch, you'll have to soak them overnight.
Once they are fermented, drain and rinse. It can now be used in recipes as you would normally use them. Place the chickpeas, tahini, cumin or paprika and olive oil in a food processor and process until smooth. Add lemon juice to taste and to aid making the hummus smooth.
As a legume, chickpeas are coated in an organic, soapy substance known as saponins that get released as they cook. When mixed with the bean's proteins and carbs, this substance thickens even more, creating a layer of foam that will quickly overflow if the right precautions aren't taken (via Veg FAQs).
Soaking At Room Temperature
It's perfectly fine to soak beans at room temperature as long as you don't let them sit for more than 8 hours. You'll know they've been on the counter for too long, once you start seeing bubbles forming on the surface. And you might also start to notice an off or sour smell.
Bicarbonate of soda (baking soda) can be added to the soaking water (after boiling, if using the quick method) as it helps to soften the skins of the pulses, making it easier for the dried pulses to absorb some of the soaking water and helping them to rehydrate and soften.
Add 1/2 teaspoon of baking soda for every cup of dried chickpeas. Let them sit overnight (10-12 hours). The chickpeas will plump up and no longer appear dried and shriveled.
Canned chickpeas can be stored indefinitely. The dried version should be stored in a tightly closed container at cool room temperature. Use them within 6 months. Leftover cooked chickpeas will keep for 3-4 days in the refrigerator, stored in a tightly closed container.
Leave overnight or for 8-12 hours to absorb water and swell. Adding bicarbonate of soda can help the soaking process, especially if you live in a hard water area. It will soften the skins and, if you are making hummus, give a lighter, smoother result. Use 1 tbsp per 500g dried chickpeas.
According to Still Tasty, raw chickpeas can maintain their quality for anywhere from two to three years. However, that's only if they've been stored correctly. Sometimes, when foods like dry chickpeas have such a long shelf life, it can be easy to neglect them.
If soaking for longer than eight hours, move the beans to the refrigerator to prevent them from fermenting. Don't soak the beans any longer than 24 hours.
It's a good idea to soak chickpeas in cool water for several hours prior to cooking. Not only does this help remove toxins, soaking speeds up cooking time, reduces gas, and prevents your beans from splitting.
So as I mentioned above, the minimum time that you have to soak chickpeas is ideally 5 to 6 hours. For best results, you can soak the chickpeas overnight. So if you soak them in water at night before going to sleep, you can drain the water in the morning to use them in recipes.
You can soak them overnight, if you have the time. Place them in a large bowl and cover with cold water. The chickpeas will expand to over double their size, so make sure you cover by several inches of water to allow for expansion. Cover the bowl with a clean towel and let them soak overnight.
The minerals in hard water can leave deposits on the beans, preventing them from softening . Solution: Use store-bought vegetable broth or bottled water. Acid. Never add anything acidic to the water when soaking or cooking chickpeas.
The second option, and the one best for nights when you forgot to soak the chickpeas, is to quickly boil the chickpeas and then set them aside to soak for an hour. The chickpeas should be tender enough to break apart with your fingers, but still have a bite to them.