Natto, Fermented Soy Beans

Natto

納豆 Natto, Fermented Soy Beans

Natto refers to fermented soy beans in Japan. It is one of the traditional Japanese foods and often considered as a healthy dish. Fermented soy beans in fact can be seen in other Asian countries but Japanese natto is unique in some ways. Natto can be used for many kinds of Japanese dishes particularly for casual ones.

Generally, Natto is made with soy beans. In a traditional way, steamed soy beans are kept wrapped in a bundle of rice straws being warmed for a few days.  Due to fermentation caused by Natto Bacteria, a kind of grass bacillus found on rice straws, the beans get browny, sticky, and smelly. These days, however, natto is mostly made only by adding the bacteria, not using rice straws, by designated food manufacturers for sanitary reasons.

Natto is known for being full of nutrition; it is rich in protein, calcium, iron, and vitamins. In particular, Nattokinase, an enzyme found only after fermentation, is drawing attention to its feature to help blood flow smoothly. Some doctors say natto plays an important role to support longevity of Japanese people.

Fermented soy beans are also eaten in some regions of other Asian countries such as China, Thailand, Myanmar but they are different in many ways from Japanese natto. They are often wrapped in a wider, single leaf like ferns and bananas. Each taste and texture is different due to difference of plants. These fermented soy beans from other countries are often used as a seasoning unlike Japan, where the food can be an independent side dish.

According to a recent survey, over 50% of Japanese people eat natto more than once a week in the time of food diversity. So it is surely one of the staple Japanese foods. Natto is often eaten with white rice after being mixed with soy sauce and karashi, Japanese mustard. Stirring natto around 30 times is said to be the best to eat. Because of its popularity and distinctive flavor, it can be also added to many kinds of casual dishes such as sushi rolls, mochi rice cakes, miso soup, and even western style ones like pasta, pizza, curry & rice, and so on.

Smelly & sticky natto can be the most challanging Japanese dish for foreigners but we are proud of this culinary invention to characterize Japanese cuisine.

・「納豆に関する調査」 調査結果報告書 (natto.or.jp)

・納豆の栄養価｜知る・楽しむ｜タカノフーズ株式会社 (takanofoods.co.jp)

・日本人の長寿体質を支えた納豆に、世界が注目 | 特定非営利活動法人 日本食品機能研究会 [JAFRA]