Rancho Gordo splits the difference on soaking with their beans, saying that soaking for a few hours will help speed up and even out cooking. But also that it's

Rancho Gordo splits the difference on soaking with their beans, saying that soaking for a few hours will help speed up and even out cooking. But also that it's unnecessary. They do also suggest cooking in the soaking liquid, which I suspect is the cause of the taste difference in taste tests like you cite.