Edamame is a dish prepared with soy beans, which are green and immature when picked. Edamame is often served as an appetizer or side dish with a variety of dishes. You can enjoy edamame cooked or raw.
History of Edamame
Edamame was originally cultivated and produced in China. It has been a popular food throughout China for more than 7000 years, and spread throughout the rest of the world in tandem with Buddhism. Edamame is plentiful, satisfying, and a significant source of protein, making it an important ingredient for vegetarian Buddhists.
Appearance Of Edamame
Young edamame that are stiff, plump, and brilliant green are ideal for eating. If the pods turn yellow or get brown spots, this indicates that the beans within have begun to develop or overmature. On maturing, the seeds will turn starchy and less delicious. Leave on any bean pods that are weak, mushy, or have black patches.
Flavor Of Edamame
The taste of edamame is somewhere between peas and beans. Edamame are sweet in taste, yet have a distinct saltiness to balance the flavors out. The hardness of edamame varies with the cooking time, this also defines their taste. The softer the edamame, the sweeter the taste.
Culinary Benefits
You can enjoy edamame either raw or boiled in salt water for 5-6 minutes. We love edamame as part of a rice bowl with pickled ginger and furikake. Try out our White Fish Rice Bowl recipe, which has a delicious blend of edamame, fluffy rice, and flaky fish.
Edamame is also a great addition to many appetizers. Try our Chawanmushi recipe, which is a silky smooth and savory egg custard dotted with edamame.
While we love a classic hummus made with chickpeas, you can also make hummus with edamame. Follow our homemade hummus recipe, but substitute an equal amount of cooked edamame for the chickpeas for a brilliant green hue and sweet, nutty taste.
Storage
Edamame is best when eaten fresh. To preserve it for a few days, store it inside a sealed plastic bag or container. Edamame can be refrigerated to keep it fresh for 3-5 days. You can also freeze it to store it for longer, but there might be a change in its flavor.
