Edamame beans are a popular snack or vegetable side dish consumed mainly in Japan and China but has made their way to North America (MacKellar Farms, 2015a).

The Details

The roots bear nodules, which extract nitrogen from the air and fix it in the soil, where it stimulates the growth of the edamame beans (Shurtleff & Aoyagi, 2004). Jacob MacKellar, an Ontario edamame farmer, explains that an everyday process of growing edamame consists of watching the plants closely for irrigation needs or any pests or diseases (MacKellar, OAFT Game Changers in Agriculture, 2013). The edamame is harvested in August before it starts to harden and then within 6-8 hours the bean is boiled, sorted, and frozen (Cattel, 2015). Edamame beans are similar to regular soybeans but are planted in intervals throughout May and June with the harvesting season following soon after in August (Shurtleff & Aoyagi, 2004). Today’s edamame beans are 24-36 inches in height shown in the photo to the right, bearing typically 100-150 pods per plant (Shurtleff & Aoyagi, 2004). The seeds grow in pods containing usually 2-3 seeds per pod (Shurtleff & Aoyagi, 2004). The plant has trifoliate leaves. The leaves, pods, and stems are typically covered with soft brown hairs. 
Picture
http://www.omafra.gov.on.ca/CropOp/en/spec_veg/pea_bean/edam.html
​The freezing process is called "Individually Quick Frozen" (IQF) which means to freeze each shell or pod separately from all the others (Cattel, 2015). This process takes place to maximize its tender flavor and preserve its freshness (Cattel, 2015). An Oxbo Green Bean Harvester is used  to harvest the edamame beans (Oxbo International Corporation, 2014). There is only approximately two ideal days that edamame can be harvested (MacKellar, OAFT Game Changers in Agriculture, 2013). At this time the pod is at its peak and the highest yield can be obtained (MacKellar, OAFT Game Changers in Agriculture, 2013). It is just before the plant is about to dry out.