Brown rice does not need to be soaked before cooking; however, it can help speed up cooking time and reduce the phytic acid content, making it easier to digest. If you prefer to pre-soak brown rice, soak 1 cup of rice in 2-3 cups of water overnight or for at least 2 hours in a pot. Then drain and rinse the rice before cooking. This may reduce the cooking time to 20 minutes or so.