2012-02-16

Soybeans Interesting Facts - China To Buy Billions of Dollars Worth from USA

 China's Vice President Xi Jinping is visiting  Iowa, where Chinese buyers have pledged to buy $4.3 billion worth of soybeans from the USA. That is nearly 9 million metric tons of soybeans to be bought from American companies. The Chinese trade representatives are expected to sign another soybean deal when they travel with to California. The total purchase amount of soybeans should be 12 million metric tons. That would be the most soybeans China has ever purchased from the USA during one visit.

Soybean fields are a common site on the Eastern Shore.
Here a some some interesting facts about soybeans provided by VOA.

What are Soybeans?
*An edible bean high in protein cultivated in China as many as 3000 years ago. The soybean has been used in a number of traditional Asian foods, including soy sauce, tofu and edamame.

Where do Soybeans grow?
*Nearly 260 million metric tons of soybeans were produced worldwide in 2010. The U.S. grew the largest percentageof soybeans — more than a third — followed by Brazil and Argentina.

What are Soybeans used for?
*Besides the traditional Asian foods, soybeans today are processed into a variety of products:
– Soybean oil: soybeans are about 18% oil, which can be extracted and is used in margarine, mayonnaise, in cooking, and to pack canned food, like tuna.
– Soybean meal: the high-protein meal left over after the oil is extracted is a major component of livestock feed.
– Biodiesel: remove the glycerin from soybean oil and what remains is soy biodiesel, which can be used as an energy source.
– Soy milk: a beverage made by straining out liquid after soybeans are soaked and ground up in water.
* Soybeans also can be used to make:
– Wax (used in crayons and candles)
– Inks
– Asphalt
– Lotion

What countries are the largest importers of Soybeans?
* China is the world's largest importer of soybeans, accounting for nearly 60% of the soybeans sold worldwide.
* The European Union is the second largest importer of soybeans and the world's largest importer of soybean meal.
* India also is a growing consumer of soybeans, which are a cheap source of protein for its surging population. But the government limits imports of soybean products, in preference to domestic suppliers.
* The U.S. is the world's largest soybean exporter, but also is a large soybean consumer.







Soybeans have many uses. From soy milk to biodiesel. Learn more at Eastern Shore Magazine.

Have you ever eaten Edamame?

Edamame are green soybeans, harvested before it reaches the "hardening" time.  Salt-boiled edamame in pods are eaten by squeezing beans out of pods with fingers and are very popular in Japan. The name Edamame originates from Japan and means "twig bean" (eda = "twig" + mame = "bean") referring to young soybeans cropped with their twigs. Edamame also means the salt-boiled dish because of its popularity.

Soybeans Learn Interesting Facts

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