Soybeans – All You Need to Know | Instacart’s Guide to Fresh Groceries

What are soybeans?

Soybeans are a member of the legume family and have a wide range of uses across the world. While eating soybeans whole in the form of edamame has been growing in popularity, it is primarily used in fermented and unfermented forms. Soy milk is the base of unfermented versions such as tofu and tofu skin. Fermented soybeans are turned into condiments like soy sauce, fermented bean paste, tempeh, miso, koji, natto, and gochujang. 

Soybeans come in other colors besides green, including the black soybean, which is sweet in flavor, and yellow, which is mild.

Soybeans are one of the most commonly used proteins for feeding farm animals in the United States, and soybean oil is even used for cooking. They are also used as a cover crop to add precious nitrogen back to the soil.

Soybeans are even used for things other than food. The oil from the bean can be refined to create biodiesel through a process called transesterification. Biocomposites like particle board are made from soybean-based woods. It is used to make carpets and upholsteries, candles, crayons, lubricants, and inks. Soy-based products are extremely environmentally friendly and in most cases are non-toxic.

Where did soybeans originate from?

The domestication of soybeans is thought to have happened around 7000 B.C. in China, where it then spread to neighboring Asian countries over the next few millennia. It reached Japan around 5000 B.C. and Korea around 1000 B.C. Some of these countries saw soy sauce before they saw soybeans themselves. 

Samuel Bowen brought soybeans to North American in 1765 when he traveled there with the East India Company. The beans were planted in Georgia and were mostly used as forage. The bean only began to spread south to the Caribbean in 1767, Central America in 1877, and South America in 1882.

How are soybeans grown?

Sow your soybean seeds in the late spring or early summer once the threat of frost is over. The plants bloom in the hottest parts of summer and then begin to produce their fruit. The soybeans reach maturity about 2 months after planting, and then they are ready for harvest for fresh use.

A small crop of soybeans is harvested by hand from the plant, while a field full is harvested with a combine. If the soybeans are going to be dried, it may take up to 100 days from planting for this to happen. The beans are harvested once they reach a 15% moisture content.

The largest growers and suppliers of soybeans are Brazil, the United States, Argentina, China, and India.

When are soybeans in season?

The best time to find fresh soybeans at your local market is at the end of the summer or in early fall. If you are looking for dried soybeans, you have to wait until the end of fall until they are ready.

What is the nutritional value of soybeans?

Soybeans are one of the best sources of plant-based proteins available. One 3.5oz serving of boiled soybeans contains the following:

• 173 calories
• 16.6g of protein
• 9.9g of carbohydrates
• 9g of fat
• 6g of fiber
• 3g of sugar

Soybeans contain beneficial vitamins and minerals like copper, folate, manganese, molybdenum, phosphorus, thiamine, and vitamin K1. Soybeans are also full of bioactive plant compounds saponins, phytic acid, and isoflavones. 

What should I look for when buying soybeans?

When you are buying fresh soybean pods at the store, there are a few ways to tell their quality. The pods should be bright green and feel firm and plump. Don’t buy any pods that look yellow or are soft and shriveled. 

If you are looking to have your groceries delivered, you can easily shop for soybeans via Instacart. After adding a product to your cart, use the “Instructions” option to notify your Instacart shopper about any preferences or specific directions on how to choose the best products. 

How to store soybeans

When you bring your fresh soybeans home, the first thing to do is rinse them off and then dry them. Place them in the fridge in a perforated plastic bag so they can breathe. This will help slow down any mold growth. They should last in the fridge for around a week.

Soybeans can also be frozen if you bought more than you can use. Simply blanch your soybeans for a couple of minutes in boiling water and then give them a quick ice bath. Dry the beans off using a paper towel and put them into a zip-top freezer bag. Remove as much air as you can and then freeze them for up to a year.

How to tell if soybeans are bad

When fresh soybeans are no longer fresh, they will start to turn from green to a pale yellow color. They lose their firm texture and will start to feel mushy and look shriveled. They will eventually start to grow mold as well. When your soybeans start to show any of these signs, it is time to get rid of them before anyone gets sick from eating them.

If you are using products made out of soybeans like tofu, tempeh, or soy sauce, follow the best by date on the packaging, since everything has a different shelf life. 

What can I substitute for soybeans?

If you can’t find any soybeans at the store, the closest beans in texture and flavor are lima beans and fava beans. A couple of other close options include peas, green beans, chickpeas, and sugar snap peas.

How to find soybeans

Soybeans are popular in both their whole form and in the dozens of products that are made out of them. Whether you want to eat edamame or fry up some tofu, you can buy any of these ingredients via Instacart. Choose either same-day delivery or schedule a future delivery at checkout. 

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