Soybean

Soybeans (Glycine max) are a high-protein legume grown for human consumption and animal feed.

They can be processed in a variety of ways. Common forms of soy (or soya) include tofu, textured vegetable protein (which is made into a wide variety of vegetarian foods, some of them intended to imitate meat), soy milk, and vegetable oil. The beans are also boiled whole and served with salt, often under the name edamame.

Soybeans are native to Southeast Asia, but 45 percent of the world's soybean acreage, and 55 percent of production, is in the United States. Much of the U.S. production is either fed to animals or exported, though U.S. consumption of soy has been increasing.