Is Soaking Beans Necessary?
While it’s true you can cook dried beans without presoaking, the evidence is stacked in favor of soaking them. They boil more quickly once hydrated, cook more evenly and are more likely to maintain the ideal bean look and texture: tender, intact skin and a creamy center. Plus, cooking them breaks down some of the starches in the beans that can stomach pains and gassiness.
However, many classic bean recipes cook them from dried to finish with other ingredients and get excellent flavor from preserving the cooking water. Sometimes, there’s no reason to argue with tradition!