Soaking quinoa overnight serves several purposes. It helps to reduce the natural coating of saponins on the quinoa seeds, which can give the quinoa a bitter taste. Soaking also softens the seeds, potentially reducing cooking time and improving texture in the final porridge. While not strictly necessary, especially if using pre-rinsed quinoa, soaking can make the quinoa more digestible and may enhance nutrient absorption. However, if you're short on time, a thorough rinse before cooking will still give you a delicious quinoa porridge.