Edamame is the Japanese name for soybeans.
The soybean plant is a legume which produces a pod containing beans. Known in Japan as edamame and in China as mau dou, soybeans provide a good source of protein and have become the world's most widely grown legume, according to the World's Healthiest Foods website. Served in the pod, soybeans provide a nutritious snack.
History
Soybeans have been grown in China as a major crop for over 13,000 years. The bean was introduced into the Japanese culture in the 8th century and later in other Asian countries. Soybeans did not appear in the United States until the 1700s when a plant was brought to America from China. It was not until the 1800s that soybeans were planted as a crop by farmers and it did not gain popularity until its health benefits were discovered in the 1900s. At the present time, the United States is the largest commercial grower of soybeans.
Bean Pods
Beans come in two types: edible pod beans and shell beans. The green bean is an example of an edible pod bean -- you eat the pod and the bean all at once. A shell bean requires removal of the pod before eating the bean. The lima bean is an example of a shell bean. The soybean falls into the shell bean category.
Pods
To prepare a package of frozen soybeans, or edamame, place them in a pot to boil. Remove when ready, drain and place in a bowl. Eat the soybean as a snack the way it is served in Japan and the United States at restaurants. Place the pod in your mouth and scrape the beans out of the pod with your teeth. Make sure you have another bowl for the discarded pods. The inside of the pod is fuzzy and has a salty taste, while the outside of the pod has a rough texture.
Nutrition
The nutritional value of the soybean is in the bean. A cup of cooked soybeans contains just under 300 calories and is a good source of protein and dietary fiber. Other nutrients include thiamin, riboflavin, folate and vitamins B6 and K. Minerals found in soybeans include iron, magnesium, manganese, molybdenum, potassium, copper and phosphorus. Soybeans are also a source of amino acids and omega-3 fatty acids.
Tags: shell bean, United States, bean example, good source, good source protein