Asda is set to become the first-ever British retailer to sell edamame beans fresh in their pods.
The green soy beans, native to China, are currently imported frozen and commonly sold as part of prepared salads for the UK market, and are a favourite of the health-conscious consumer due to their high nutritional content.
And Asda plans to establish the first commercial-scale supply of the vegetable in the UK - cutting food miles and getting the product fresh to store in 48 hours.
Joe Cottingham, UK Young Grower of the Year 2008, has been working to bring the crop to fruition for Asda. But with a potential market for prepared salads currently worth around £2 million, the trial has been a closely guarded secret until now.
Edamame is said to be the only vegetable that contains all nine essential amino acids, making it a complete protein source - similar to meat or eggs.
Cottingham said: “Our farm in Kent is a great area to grow this type of crop, as its good quality soils and water makes it ideal. We have had to ensure the soil is warm enough for the seed to germinate so we carried out the trial in a protected environment where we could control water, nutrients and soil temperature. As the pods are now plump and bright green they are ripe for picking and will be at their maximum sweetness.”
The trial is the latest move by Asda in its aim to provide exclusive, quality foods at affordable prices. The supermarket is also establishing truffle forests in Yorkshire, aiming to cut dramatically the price of the gourmet ingredients. The edamame beans are expected to be available in Asda stores next summer.
Asda’s development chef Simon Shaw said: “For people wanting to buy the beans as part of their weekly shop, their options have been to buy the beans frozen or as part of a prepared snack. Our trial aims to give customers the choice of buying the beans fresh in their pods, allowing them to cook, season and serve the edamame beans just as they would enjoy in their favourite Japanese restaurant.”
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