Origin: South Asia is believed to be the birthplace for Soybean and were first domesticated by Chinese farmers around 1100 BC. Japan and other surrounding countries were famous for growing and using soybeans.
It is believed that Soybean seed came to the USA from China by a colonist in the British colony of Georgia in 1765. Benjamin Franklin sent some soybean seeds to a friend to plant in his garden in 1770, ever since then soybean became very popular. Soy sauce was already very popular before soybean came into the scene. Until 1851, the cultivation of Soybean was not started in the USA. In the 1870s, soybeans became popular with farmers who started growing as the fodder for the animals. Soybean plants flourished in the hot, humid summer weather.
Scientifically: The soybean is a straight branching plant and can reach more than 2 meters (6.5 feet) in height. The flowers of soybean are usually white or purple. Soybean seeds are can be yellow, green, brown, black, or bicolored. The most commercial varieties have brown or tan seeds, with one to four seeds per pod. In the United States, the majority of soybean crops are genetically modified for resistance. The soybean grows well in warm, fertile, well-drained, sandy loam. Soybeans are usually harvested through machines after the leaves have fallen off from the plant and the moisture is less than 13 percent, which is considered safe for storage.
Usage: The soybean is considered to be one of the richest and cheapest sources of protein and is an important part of the diets of people and animals in numerous parts of the world. The seed contains 17 percent oil and 63 percent solid meal, 50 percent of which is protein. Soybeans are also considered a good source of protein for diabetics. In East Asia, the soybean is consumed in the forms of soy milk and tofu. Soybeans make a good salad ingredient and can also be used in curries and may be eaten roasted as a snack food. Young soybeans which are known as edamame are consumed as steamed or boiled and eaten directly from the pod. Soy sauce, a salty brown liquid is produced from crushed soybeans. It is a vital ingredient in Asian cooking. Soybean oil is also considered important oil for cooking and is a great source for overall health. Soy milk is a great form of soy. It contains protein, iron, calcium, fiber, folic acid, B vitamins and potassium which are all vital for the skin and hair health. Soybeans contain phytoestrogens that boost the production of estrogen in the body that helps reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. They also reduce visible signs of aging like skin discoloration and dark spots.
Below are some DIYs with Soybean:
- Apply soy milk to the ends of your hair after washing hair to treat dry and split ends.
- Take a tablespoon of soy milk and apply with a cotton ball over the face for 10 minutes. Rinse later. This remedy helps in preventing skin aging and skin discoloration.
- Take a tablespoon of soybean oil with crushed rosemary leaves. Massage this mixture on your scalp thoroughly in circular motions. Once done, rinse it off thoroughly with a mild shampoo after 45 minutes.
- Coarsely ground half a cup of soybean and then add some coconut oil to it. Mix and use it on face and body as a scrub. This scrub helps in flushing out toxins from the skins and removes the dead skin.