Benefits of Soaking

• Soaking wheatberries and other slow-cooking whole grains typically decreases the length of time needed for cooking them and makes the kernels more plump and tender. Advocates of the practice claim that soaking grains also helps to reduce naturally occurring enzyme inhibitors and phytates that prevent your body from being able to take full advantage of the nutrition in the grains. When you have time, soak wheatberries for eight to 24 hours in warm water that's been mixed with 1 or 2 tablespoons of buttermilk, yogurt or kefir.

Skip the Soak

• According to The Kitchn website, soaking wheatberries only saves you roughly 10 minutes of cooking time. Unsoaked wheatberries typically cook in one to two hours, depending on the type of berry you’re using and the texture that you want. For example, shorter cooking times leave you with firmer berries that are ideal salads or other dishes that benefit from a firm texture. If you want berries that are chewier with more tenderness, it may take twice that long. Once the berries have been cooking for about 30 minutes, begin periodically checking them to see whether they are done. Scoop a couple berries out with a spoon, let them cool and taste them. Once the wheatberries have reached the desired tenderness, drain them and place them in a bowl.

Microwaving Wheatberries

• You can also cook unsoaked wheatberries in the microwave. Combine 3 3/4 cup water with 1 cup of wheatberries in a microwave-safe covered dish. Microwave it on high for 10 minutes and medium for another five minutes. Allow the mixture to sit for one hour, with the cover on. Alternatively, you can microwave it on high for 10 minutes, followed by 45 to 55 minutes on medium-low.

Make Them Flavorful

• No matter how you cook them, wheatberries need at least a little seasoning once they’re finished. For a savory dish, simply toss them with a drizzle of olive oil and salt to wake up the flavor, or add garlic, lemon or vinegar. When you add a bit of seasoning right after you drain them, the berries soak up the flavor. Another way to create deeper flavor in your wheatberries is to toast them for roughly 10 minutes in an oven that's been preheated to 375 degrees Fahrenheit. You can store cooked wheatberries for two days in the refrigerator or as long as one month in the freezer.