The word edamame means “beans on branches” in Japanese, and that’s exactly what we got this week… beans on branches!
While most soy products such as tofu, miso, and soymilk are manufactured from dried soybeans, edamame is a special type of large-seeded soybean bred to be eaten fresh. The fuzzy pods are harvested while still green, and the edible portion is the bean seeds inside the pod. Their flavor is sweet, buttery, and slightly nutty.
Edamame are traditionally eaten as a snack or appetizer. Remove the pods and place them in boiling water for about 5 minutes until they turn bright green. Drain, transfer to a bowl, and sprinkle with a little salt. When cool enough to handle, squeeze the beans from the pod directly into your mouth. The beans can also be shelled and added to other dishes, such as salads.
Edamame contains all nine essential amino acids, which makes it a complete source of protein!
