Great question, June! Soaking raisins can improve the rising time for a different reason. When you soak your raisins, you're rehydrating them. This will prevent the raisins from possibly absorbing liquid from your dough. The dryer the dough is, the longer it will take to rise. Now, if you'd soaked the raisins in a sugar syrup rather than tea, the sugar may have inhibited things, but it looks like you've found a great method for a wonderfully flavorful loaf. The sourdough will add a lovely tang next time! Annabelle@KAF

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