Edamame
14 07 2007Edamame is one of the great snack foods that is taking the US by storm (not only because it is great tasting but also because of its health benefits).
If you haven’t tried them I suggest you do, they are awesome. I personally like to eat them while still in the pod, and still in a semi frozen state. Of course they are great thawed or heated as well. I just take the pod and put it into my mouth and suck out the beans. Yummy and even yummier if slightly salted. Of course you can eat them by just pushing the beans out of the pod and eating the beans but not that much fun. I guess it’s a little like eating peanuts out of the shell, its addicting. Most stores now carry them in there frozen vegetable section or in the fresh produce section (a limited supply).Actually Edamame has been around for years. The Japanese have made it popular here in the states by giving it away as a free Hors d’oeuvre a few years back. From there it has just blossomed. It was the Japanese restaurants that educated the American public and gave us awareness.
Personally I have been eating Edamame for more than 20 years. Because of being in the frozen vegetable business I have traveled extensively to Taiwan and China (the main producers of Edamame) and was exposed to it years before it got to the US. Consequently, I have learned about the different varieties being grown particularly for the Japanese market. In Japan the most popular type is Edamame, with bean in the pod or shell on. The bean itself, called Mukimame, is a by-product of the Edamame. For Japan what is key is the appearance of the Edamame because as they say they Eat With Their Eyes First. It must be a nice green color, no blemishes or defects, and it must have a maximum of 170 pieces per 500 grams of product. If it has more than 170g per 500g then it will catch a lesser price.
At present there are three main varieties grown in China, #75, #2808 (a new variety replacing an older variety #292) and Shanghai Green a local Chinese variety. Of the three the best quality is #75, followed by #2808 and then the China local variety Shanghai green, which is probably the most common here in the States because we just don’t have the sophistication to know the different varieties.
In addition to the variety they also have different processing methods. First is regular blanch, then long blanch and then a salted long blanch. The regular blanch is the cheapest method of processing and is probably the predominate here in the States. The regular blanch would need to have some further cooking by the consumer. The long blanch is a longer cooking time which fully cooks the Edamame and is ready to eat as is (of course you can reheat if you like them warm). And the salted long blanch is just that, it is blanched in slightly salted water and ready to eat.
In addition to the variety they also have different processing methods. First is regular blanch, then long blanch and then a salted long blanch. The regular blanch is the cheapest method of processing and is probably the predominate here in the States. The regular blanch would need to have some further cooking by the consumer. The long blanch is a longer cooking time which fully cooks the Edamame and is ready to eat as is (of course you can reheat if you like them warm). And the salted long blanch is just that, it is blanched in slightly salted water and ready to eat.
The Mukimame being the by product is produced from the Edamame that is sorted out because it had defects or blemishes on the skin or was of poor color or only one pod. It has to go thru a further processing which should make it more expensive but being that it is the by-product it ends up being cheaper. However, in your store you will see them probably selling at a higher price then Edamame.
Maybe in the future if Mukimame becomes more popular and becomes the big seller this relationship at the processing level will change. Not only is it a great snack but it is healthy which makes it all that much better. Check out these sites for some of the health benefits www.fwhc.org/health/soy.htm and http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0854/is_7_27/ai_n17207358.
Edamame is one of the great snack foods that is taking the US by storm (not only because it is great tasting but also because of its health benefits).
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