Edamame Beans
The Amazing Young Edamame Beans
Edamame beans derive their name from the old Asian term meaning “beans on branches.” This specialized, slightly premature harvest has been utilized as a primary source of protein by many Asian cultures for as many as three thousand years. Edamame beans begin their journey as most other beans do, within the shelter of a pod. This pod hardens when the seeds within are fully ripened, but the harvest of edamame beans is done just before this ripening process is complete. The delicate beans are plucked, pod and all, and quickly blanched in salted boiling water and then flash frozen for safe keeping during storage. Sometimes, the seeds are released from their pods and canned, much like peas are, but it is common for edamame beans, as a snack food, to be popped directly from the pod into the mouth.
Edamame beans are slightly more rich in calories and fat than are more typical beans such as the kidney or the pinto varieties. This extra weight is utilized well when gracing desserts and gone to the production of lactose free milk dairy solutions. Yes, that’s right, edamame beans are actually soy beans, and their purposes in your kitchen and in your diet are far too numerous to list. Soy beans are nutritious and absolutely packed with a flavor all their own, even for those who don’t necessarily appreciate soy milk or cheese. Edamame beans carry approximately 125 calories per edible serving, which equals roughly ½ cup of whole seeds without the pods. Of these 125 calories, about 14% of them are derived from fat. This gives us a total of 3.6 grams of fat per portion when no other caloric values are present.
Edamame beans contain a little bit more than a trace of ash, which is great for the digestive system. They are also very high in phosphorus, offering a generous 180 units per ½ cup portion without the pods. As we run further along the lines of soy bean nutrition, we find that nearly all of the minerals that we so desperately crave are present, most of them in droves. Vitamins A, U1, and C are all wrapped up inside this little power seed, along with iron magnesium, calcium, and iron.
The protein content in edamame beans is quite present, and is considered to be less likely to cause protein allergy reactions in those with sensitivities to certain ones. Soy beans have 12.1 grams of specialized protein per serving. Along the lines of carbohydrates, the soy bean packs quite a punch at 13.1 grams per healthy little serving. All in all, edamame beans are a favorite amongst vegetarians and health enthusiasts the world over, offering a rich, filling snacking experience all the way up to a full on meal without a whole lot of worry.