Buying these delicious bean pods at the grocery store is different than ordering them at a restaurant, so it’s important to know what to look for when buying edamame on your own.
Green, hardy, and filling: edamame is a superfood that can add a burst of color and health to any meal. If you have ever visited a Japanese restaurant, odds are that you’ve tasted edamame before. This highly nutritious soybean is full of protein and other healthy vitamins that can complement any meal.
Here’s how you can get your hands on the most delicious and ripe edamame at your local grocery store.
Where Edamame Comes From
Edamame is a soybean pod filled with ripe soybeans. This bean product originates in Japan and is usually prepared with a simple water and salt solution. In the United States, edamame is grown mainly in Arkansas and distributed around the country.
It is not difficult to find edamame at your local grocery store or farmer’s market. Let’s take a look at some of the best stores for buying edamame below.
Best Places to Buy Edamame
There are many places where you can find fresh edamame for your next meal. The best place to look for fresh edamame is your local grocery store. Any chain store or brand-name supermarket is very likely to have edamame available in the produce section, as this is a trendy food item. Asian supermarkets are also likely to have edamame available.
Farm Fresh Options
You may be lucky enough to live in a thriving community where local growers and farmers sell their produce on the weekends. You can visit a farmer’s market to get fresh edamame. Many people prefer to purchase edamame from local suppliers so they can support their local economy. Thus, they can get organic edamame that is free of pesticides and other additives.
You can even buy fresh or frozen edamame online!
Buying Edamame the Right Way
There are certain things you should look for when buying fresh edamame:
- Plumpness. Ripe edamame is plump and large when it’s ready to be eaten.
- Fuzz. Mature soybean pods will have a bit of fuzz on the outside of the pod. Too little fuzz means the beans are not ripe enough, and too much fuzz could mean that they are spoiled.
- 1-3 inches. Mature edamame usually grows to be a couple of inches long, with 2-3 plump soybeans inside.
There are also a few things you must avoid when buying edamame:
- Brown color. Ripe soybeans are green, but as they age, they will start to turn brown.
- Black color. Never eat edamame that has turned black. It has rotted and can cause serious health issues if consumed.
It should be easy to find healthy and mature edamame pods at a variety of local stores.
Getting the Best Price for Fresh Edamame
How do you get the best edamame price when you are in the mood for a delicious and nutritious snack? There are a few ways to catch fresh edamame at an affordable rate next time you visit the store:
1. Wait for the Right Season
The first thing you should do is wait for the time of year where edamame is in season. They typically grow in August, with a long growing time that starts in the spring.
2. Expect Price Adjustments
Some produce has varying costs depending on availability and location. There are certain market events that could totally change the price per pound of edamame.
3. Seek Alternatives
If fresh edamame is too pricey in your area or widely unavailable, you can look into alternate ways to acquire these soybeans. While fresh is always the best option, you can still get the more affordable canned edamame instead.
The Nutritional Power of Edamame
Edamame is popular not only because of its rich taste but also because of its incredible nutritional value. High in protein and low in carbohydrates, edamame is an ideal snack for anyone looking to stay lean.
About 3.5 ounces of edamame contains:
- 12 grams of protein
- 13 grams of carbohydrates
- 4 grams of fat
- 125 calories
People on a low-carb or low-calorie diet can enjoy a bowl of roasted edamame with a meal or on its own.
Final Words
Before you pop over to the store to get your hands on a fresh bag of edamame, make sure to read this guide, so you know exactly what to look for. Fresh edamame is one of the most nutritious foods on the planet, providing protein and vitamins in a low-carb pod. Now that you know how to shop for it the right way, you should have no problem buying edamame for you and the whole family.
Get edamame while it’s in season and enjoy the total nutritional value that this superfood has to offer!
Shelled edamame can be found in some specialty stores, but they are not as widely available as whole edamame. You may have better luck finding them at health food stores or online retailers.