Discover Edamame – Soybean Turned Trendy

Nov 23, 2022 by Chef David

By Chef David

What’s in a name?  By changing its name from soybean to edamame this snack gained popularity. Edamame is a traditional Asian snack that has found its way into the kosher palate.  Discover The Only Bean, an entire line of gluten-free, vegan, and keto-friendly edamame products certified by the OU. This high-protein bright green bean can become your pasta replacement or a parve snack sensation adding a delightful crunch to your munch.

Edamame Are

Soybeans or edamame are legumes that grow on a bush. They have fuzzy stems, leaves, and pods, each containing two to four seeds or beans. Their name comes from the Japanese, eda means “beans” and mame means “branch” and refers to the way that they are sold, still on their stems to maintain their freshness longer. Edamame is harvested before they reach maturity. They tend to be sweeter and more tender than soybeans.

Like all beans, edamame is naturally gluten-free and packed with protein. One cup is 160 g and provides 18.4 grams of protein. It also provides you with over half your daily requirement of vitamin k and 100% of folate, a B vitamin used by your body to make DNA and other genetic material.  Vitamin k is important for blood clotting and regulating calcium levels. Folate may help reduce the risk of depression. Edamame contains more vitamin k and folate than soybeans.

Edamame is rich in fiber and the antioxidant isoflavones. Isoflavones may reduce the risk of cognitive decline, and lowers low-density lipoprotein (LDL), or “bad” cholesterol levels.

On-The-Go Snack

The Only Bean, is a high-protein super snack, Crunchy Roasted Edamame Beans makes a healthy snack that comes in three exciting flavors, sriracha, sea salt, and buffalo. We liked the buffalo best because of its rich flavor. It has a spice to it but it is not overpowering. identified on the ingredients as Buffalo City Roasted Wing Flavor (a combination of cayenne pepper, distilled vinegar, garlic, yeast extract, cane sugar, citric acid, paprika extract, and natural non-dairy butter).

The shelled beans are dry-roasted to perfection. This gives them a satisfying crispy outer layer coated with flavor which creates their distinctive crunch and mouthfeel. Each serving of 1/3 cup (30 grams) has between 100 and 143 calories, with 7 grams of fat, 5 grams of fiber, 13 grams of protein, and 8 grams of carbs. Making this a high-fiber, high-protein food.

Each serving gives you 11% of DV iron, 4% potassium, and 4% calcium.

The Only Bean

Founded in 2017 by Brian Lai, his wife, Kristine, and a family friend who is a food scientist, The Only Bean set out on a mission to unlock the potential of beans. Their focus was to develop innovative food that is healthy, sustainable, and most importantly delicious. This led them to edamame.

Their first product was a better-for-you pasta made of 100% beans, from only one ingredient.  This pasta has three times the protein, six times the fiber, and less than half the carbs of traditional pasta. They currently make three varieties of pasta edamame fettuccini, black bean, and soybean spaghetti.

Crunchy Roasted Edamame Beans came next. We are glad it did.

Your Healthy Crunch

Upgrade your snack to include The Only Bean – Crunchy Roasted Edamame Beans, it is deceptively nutritious, providing a satisfying crunch. Its high protein content makes The Only Bean a satisfying snack to bring on a hike or outdoor activity. While it is designed to travel with a resealable bag, it also makes a nice addition as a salad topper or as a crunchy, munch-anytime healthful chip alternative.

The Only Bean can be purchased in select stores or ordered online. Consider a snack upgrade, consider edamame.