Edamame and soybean belong to the same family but differ in their usage and also nutritional components. Edamame is a soybean that was harvested in its immature stage while it was still green and tender. Edamame is usually eaten as raw or a steamed vegetable, while the soybean is left to harden and mature for consumption.
Edamame vs Soybean
The main difference between edamame and soybean lies in the way it is consumed. Edamame is usually steamed within the pod and consumed as a whole. Soybeans are consumed after these have become mature, hard, and have dried up. These cannot be eaten raw and thus are cooked or fermented for consumption.
Edamame is generally referred to as a Japanese preparation, although it is the name for immature soybeans. In Japan, it literally means steamed beans. These can either be consumed by boiling in water, steaming, or microwaving with some salt and other condiments for flavoring. The ends of the pods are sometimes cut before steaming them.
Soybean is a popular legume species in East Asia. They are hard and mature and are hence consumed after cooking or fermenting them. Fermented soybean products include tempeh, soy sauce, etc. Unfermented products include soy milk and tofu. They contain a high level of protein and like all other legumes help in atmospheric nitrogen fixation as well.
Comparison Table between Edamame and Soybean
What is Edamame?
Edamame is sometimes referred to as vegetable-type soybeans. In some places, it is sold frozen and can be eaten along with pods just by boiling or steaming them. They are traditionally used in soups and stews or eaten as a vegetable snack. They can also be eaten with garlic or be processed into a dip. Edamame is a great source of protein. Around one cup of cooked edamame can provide 18.5gm of protein. It contains also a number of essential amino acids. It also has a high level of antioxidants and fibers which may help to reduce cholesterol levels.
It contains very fewer amount carbohydrates which is why it is very much suitable for people with Type 2 Diabetes. It is a rich source of vitamins and minerals especially folate and Vitamin K. There is a controversy regarding whether endamages have any relation to reducing the chances of breast cancer and prostate cancer. It might also help to reduce menopausal symptoms. Edamame is known to contain isoflavones, a compound that can help to reduce bone loss in older women. Though they have several health benefits, it is avoided by certain people for daily consumption as it might interfere with thyroid functioning.
What is Soybean?
Soybean is a type of bean that belongs to the legume species of East Asia. It has wide usage in the industries for the preparation of Soybean oil which has wide usage. it is one of the most important sources of protein for the feed farm animals. It contains a high amount of B vitamins, phytic acid, and dietary minerals. The word “soy” has its origin in the sauce known as soy sauce. The protein in soybean is a heat-stable protein thus making it possible to be cooked at a very high temperature.
The protein is very much similar to other legumes and pulses. 100gm of soybean provides 446kcal. Soybean protein can a good alternative for animal proteins. Soybean contains a significant amount of fat and carbohydrate as well. Some fermented products of soybean are natto, soya sauce, tempeh, etc. Some unfermented products are tofu, soy milk, etc. Soybean has been considered a crucial crop in East Asia. In approximate values, almost 85% of the produced soybean is processed for soybean oil and soybean meal. The rest of it is eaten in other ways. Research has shown that the consumption of certain soy products can reduce the risk of certain cancers.
Main Differences between Edamame and Soybean
- Edamame is green in color and soft while soybean is either yellow, brown, or black with a hard texture.
- Edamame is the immature pod while soybean is the matured pod.
- Edamame has a sweet taste whereas soybean has a nutty or crunchy taste.
- Edamame has a comparatively higher moisture content than soybean.
- Edamame is produced on a small scale and thus have is priced higher compared to soybean which is produced on a large scale.
- Edamame has lower fat content which 9gm per 100 gm than soybean which has a fat content of 19.9gm per 100gm.
- Edamame is either steamed or boiled for consumption while soybean requires proper cooking or fermenting for consumption.
Conclusion
Edamame and Soybean have almost similar nutritional values although edamame has a greater moisture content than soybeans. Soybeans are the plant crops and by boiling the immature soybeans, edamame is prepared. Both of these can be consumed in different ways. Edamame is popular mostly for human consumption but soybean has great industrial use as well. Soybean is used to prepare soy milk, soyabean oil, tofu, and others while edamame is consumed primarily as a snack by people. The high protein content of soybean consumption has shown a reduction of chances of osteoporosis in women. Both of these have several health benefits which are important to mankind.
References
- https://journals.ashs.org/horttech/view/journals/horttech/17/1/article-p26.xml
- https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10681-018-2237-9