This is the standard treatment for any central European sauerkraut recipe
The soaking, rinsing, draining, rinsing are very important so that the recipe flavors the kraut, not visa versa.
I'm always appalled when I go into supposedly ***authentic*** German restaurants in the US and am served heated up Kraut out of a can. I always ask, as that's what I've come to suspect. The unknowing wait person will swear up and down that THEIR'S is authentic and that I should try it. I always warn them if it's heated up out of a can I will send it back.
And they always act surprised and miffed when I do.
There are so many wonderful ways to prepare kraut (Champagne Kraut with Pineapple anyone?) that I just don't get the heated up out of a can routine.
Someone from out of town was recently asking where to go for good authentic German in Cincinnati (a supposedly German town).
Answer: My house.