The base bean for many natural foods products, from miso to soy sauce to tofu and tempeh to soy milk to soy flour. On their own, soybeans are rather bland and hard to digest, and so are more commonly used in other products. However, when cooked on their own--long and slow cooking is the only way--soybeans can be most delicious.

Very inexpensive sources of high protein, soybeans are used in many different ways and foods including tofu and soymilk.

High in fiber, lowers cholesterol, protective against many cancers. Eat soy products that contain ample quantities of isoflavones.

A leguminous Asiatic plant, widely cultivated for forage and soil improvement and for its nutritious edible seeds.

A vital source of supply of EFA (essential fatty acids) that has moisturizing effects on the skin and hair

A legume crop, native to the Orient, used mainly in the United States for high protein feed and oil.