Soybean

Soybean
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
Phylum:	Magnoliophyta
Class:	Magnoliopsida
Order:	Fabales
Family:	Fabaceae
Subfamily:	Faboideae
Genus:	Glycine
Binomial name
Glycine max

The soybean (or soya bean) is a plant with fruit called beans, from Eastern Asia. The height of a grown soybean is between less than 20 centimetres and up to 2 metres. One soybean lives for only one year.

Uses

Soybeans can be eaten or used to make oil, sauce, milk, flour, tofu and other foods. These soy foods have much protein, and many vegetarians like that.

Soybean oil has a component of oleic acid that can be used to make an insect repellent. Also fuel can be made from soybeans.

Soybeans can also be fermented to make Nattō.

History

In 1997, 81% of all soybeans were of genetically modified stock. This means that genes were changed directly.

In China, going back the ancient Chou dynasty soy beans were considered to be one of the five sacred foods.

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Related pages

• Soya milk
• Soy sauce
• Soybean oil
• Vegetarian
• Vegan