Granted that cooking is a relatively recent food processing
technology, in evolutionary terms.  It strikes me that soaking
has probably been around for a very long time.  All that is
required for soaking is water and a vessel of some sort, such as
an animal bladder, hollowed-out log, etc.  Therefore foods that
are inedible raw but edible after being soaked and rinsed may
have been part of the diet for a long enough time to be
acceptable, yes?

I would bet, incidentally, that the origin of alcoholic beverages
is just this:  Berries were gathered and those that were not
eaten immediately were stored in water, to prevent drying.  The
berries fermented in the water, some innocent soul drank the
stuff and got hammered, and the party began.

Todd Moody
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