Some soak it for a day, but I find it seems to come out the same if I soak or just cook it right a way. I like to boil it just like box rice. I use beef broth and a little Italian seasoning and garlic. ( 1/2 cup rice, 1/2 cup broth, 1 cup water, temp at Med.High, 2 cloves garlic chopped. Boil off water hopefully the cornel cracks). More or less season to taste. All I know is that a little wild rice goes a long way. You think that is a enough, take a little more out cause man is it filling. AND TASTEY!!!