Japanese food has become very popular. Today there are more and more Japanese restaurants and many shops even have take away options. Edamame is one example of a popular Japanese food that has made it to the forefront.

Edamame is an Asian snack that comes from the soya bean. The harvest is done by hand and the crop is collected before it ripens fully. Essentially, it is immature soya bean pods. They are very easy to cook, all you do is boil them and serve them whole. So easy!

It is a great gluten-free snack, rich in iron and calcium and low in calories. It is a great source of protein for vegetarians and it gives them a source of iron that is difficult to obtain with the vegetarian diet. It also prevents high cholesterol. High in isoflavones, it helps to lower bad cholesterol and reduces the development of plaque that sticks to the arteries, making them hard.

As we have mentioned already, it is easy to prepare. Once they are boiled, you eat them by separating the pod from the beans inside with your teeth, eating the beans. You can eat them with whatever you like! Add a spicy touch of paprika, or have them as a side dish to a main course.

Let your imagination flow and start introducing edamame into your favourite recipes!