Soybean facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Soybean |
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Scientific classification | |
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Phylum: | |
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Genus: |
Glycine
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Species: |
G. max
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Binomial name | |
Glycine max (L.) Merr.
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The soybean (or soya bean) is a plant with fruit called beans from Eastern Asia. The height of a grown soybean plant is can be less than 20 cm or up to 2 meters.
The fruit is a hairy pod that grows in clusters of three to five, each pod is 3–8 cm (1.2–3.1 in) long and usually contains two to four (rarely more) seeds 5–11 mm in diameter. Soybean seeds come in a wide variety of sizes and hull colors such as black, brown, yellow, and green. Variegated and bicolored seed coats are also common.
Contents
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. Also fuel can be made from soybeans.
History
In 1997, 81% of all soybeans were of genetically modified stock. This means that genes were changed directly.
In China, going back to the ancient Chou dynasty soy beans were considered to be one of the five sacred foods.
Related pages
Images for kids
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Biplane cropduster over US soybean field
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Soybeans from a high-altitude area of Nepal
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Tempeh, fermented soybean cake
See also
In Spanish: Soya para niños