Edamame: nutritional values, calories, health benefits, recipes & uses

Yes, raw edamames are toxic. In fact, edamames are highly perishable foods when raw because they contain high levels of mesophiles, yeast, and mould, which make them poisonous. Although mesophiles are not necessarily indicators of the presence of pathogenic bacteria, they can increase the risks of bacterial contamination. As for yeast and mould,  they can lead to deterioration in the quality of food when present in excessive quantities. Furthermore, mould has the capacity to synthesize mycotoxins, which can be toxic for humans.

To extend the shelf life of your edamames, blanch them before storing them in the freezer. Blanching eliminates the toxic substances in the beans. They are therefore safe to freeze after this process. Plus, freezing preserves the freshness, colour, and texture of edamames for a longer period of time, which is why they are mostly sold frozen in Quebec, unless you know a farmer who cultivates them.

As of today, researches suggest otherwise. Indeed, many studies on the matter showed that soy proteins in fact help reduce body weight as well as body fat. Plus, since soy is rich in protein and fiber, it also contributes to satiety. Therefore, eating edamames could actually help you manage your weight.

Edamames may indeed cause gas. People who are not used to consuming some regularly may find this product harder to digest. In such cases, edamames may provoke bloating and flatulence because of their high raffinose (a sugar) content. Indeed, raffinose is not digested, but rather ferments, which causes flatulences when gas is released during the process.

No, edamames and snow peas are not the same. Snow peas are not derived from soy beans, although they are also legumes. In fact, most of the time, the two can be exchanged in recipes. However, do not forget that snow peas don’t contain as much protein as edamames.