Do you all know that edamame and soybeans are actually products of the same plant at different growth stages?They both belong to soybeans(scientific name: Glycine max). Edamame is a fresh vegetable picked when the pods are full and the beans are not completely mature. Soybeans are the seeds of soybeans after they are fully mature and undergo drying processes such as air drying.
Edamame is freshly picked and has a high water content, which can reach about 70%. It contains rich vitamin C. The vitamin C content in every 100grams of edamame can reach about 27 milligrams. At the same time, there are also more B vitamins such as vitamin B1 and B2. In addition, edamame has a relatively high protein content, which can reach about 13%, and contains a certain amount of dietary fiber, which is beneficial to intestinal health.
After going through the maturation and drying process, the water content of soybeans is reduced to about 10%. The protein content of soybeans is greatly increased, about 36% - 40%, and it is an important source of plant-based protein. It also contains a large amount of oil, about 18% - 20%. These oils are mainly unsaturated fatty acids, which are beneficial to cardiovascular health. The content of minerals such as calcium, iron, and phosphorus in soybeans is also relatively rich, but vitamin C is almost completely lost during the drying process.
In the next issue, I will introduce to you the culinary journey of edamame and soybeans in China.
