What is Natto: Facts, Benefits, and How To Make It – When you’re watching Japanese anime or movies, have you ever seen them eating food that looks like a sticky soy beans? For you who do not know, the food is called Natto.
Who does not know natto, this typical Japanese food does have a unique shape and flavor.
Some of you who have felt it certainly feels like you are consuming liquid caramel nuts that have no flavor.
Especially the smell that is similar to the socks makes some of us choose not to try it.
But do you know, there are many things about natto that you don’t realize.
For instance, in one gram of natto there is a content of Bacillus subtilis which is commonly found in soil, animal organs, and humans.
This bacillus that causes natto sticky.
What is Natto?
Nattō is a traditional Japanese food made from soybeans fermented with Bacillus subtilis, usually eaten for breakfast. A rich source of protein and probiotics, natto and miso used to be a major nutrient source in the feudal times in Japan. Not everyone likes eating natto because it doesn’t like its smell and strong aroma, or its slippery texture.
In Japan, Natto is most liked by people in the eastern regions, including the Kanto, Tohoku and Hokkaido regions.
What is natto used for?
Despite the sticky texture and look disgusting, natto is touted as nutritious food.
Nattō are usually eaten with warm rice, mixed with soy sauce. In Hokkaido and northern Tohoku, Natto is served with sugar. Natto is also used for other foods, such as Natto sushi, a natto toast, in miso soup, salad, okonomiyaki, with spaghetti, or fried. Dried nattō can be eaten as a snack. There is also a nattō ice cream.
Facts about natto.
After knowing what is natto, here are some facts about natto that you might not know about
Made accidentally.
Told, in the 1500 ‘s in the era of the Kenshin Uesegi in Japan, there was war everywhere. After the war, the people realized that the soybeans they kept were decaying and removing mucus when stirring. But due to limited food supplies, the soy is forced to consume. Not unexpectedly, it turns out that soy has a good taste and finally remains consumed by now.
Other facts.
- Usually served as breakfast menu.
- Rich in nutrients and proteins.
- Not all Japanese people like Natto.
- Produce Nattokinase enzyme.
Those are 5 unique natto facts that will add to your knowledge.
How to make homemade natto.
How to make homemade natto: soybeans are washed and soaked in water for 12 to 20 hours to enlarge the size. Furthermore, soybeans are steamed for 6 hours. Afterwards the nuts are mixed with the bacillus subtilis natto bacteria. In this process, hygiene is very important to keep the ingredients from dirt and other bacteria. Then the mixture is fermented at a temperature of 40 ° C (104 °F) up to 24 hours. After that, Natto is cooled in the refrigerator for one week until the fibers appear.
Benefits of eating Natto.
According to Japanese Osteoporosis-based population studies (JPOS), natto consumption have many benefits such as protection against breast cancer, pros**tate cancer, menopause symptoms, cardiovascular disease and Osteoporosis. This benefit comes from isoflavone in Natto.
Contains Probiotics
Soybeans in natto undergo a fermentation process that creates a condition that encourages probiotic growth. Probiotics are bacteria that have many benefits for our body. Some of the benefits are they improve the digestion of your food, as a defense against harmful toxins and bacteria, and can help reduce gas, constipation, and bloating.
Good for skin.
Natto is rich in vitamins known as Pyrroloquinoline quinone (PQQ), which is not widely known to people, which is essential for keeping the skin healthy and beautiful.
High Protein.
It is rich in protein because it comes from soy options, as well as it contains a good probiotic for digestion.
Other benefits.
- Contains Lots of Vitamin K.
It is also said that the best way to consume soy is fermented soy, such as natto, miso or tempeh.
After reading What is Natto: The Facts, Benefits, and How To Make It, are you interested in consuming this one fermented soy foods?
If you have a chance to eat at the Japanese resto that provides natto in the menu options, try and feel the benefits.
