How Do I Dry Fresh Soy Beans?
Soybeans are rich in iron, calcium and phosphorus. The protein content of soybeans is arguably comparable to the quality of animal protein, but needs to be combined with a small amount of milk, grain or meat to become so. Soybeans have been a staple in China for over 3,000 years and are one of the most versatile beans cultivated. Soybeans grow in pods, like other beans, and come in yellow, brown, black or green. Does this Spark an idea?
Things You'll Need
- Window screen
- Hair dryer
- Air compressor
- Box or barrel
- Cookie sheet
- Airtight container
Instructions
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Allow soybeans to dry on the vine. They should be harvested after they rattle in the pod and before a killing frost. If they will not dry before a frost, pull up the whole plant and hang it from the roots in a cool, dry place.
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Remove the beans from the pods. Thresh the beans, which is basically banging the plants inside a barrel or box until all of the beans come out, or squeeze each pod open and take out the soybeans.
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Clean and sort the beans after removing them from the pods. Clean them using an air compressor or hair dryer and remove dust or debris. Sort them by removing any small, dried up ones.
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Place beans that are still moist on window screens. Lay them in sun to complete the drying process, which may take several days. When they are hard and do not break open easily, they are dry enough to store. You can also use this drying method if you have fresh soybeans that you don't grow yourself and you wish to dry them.
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Dry the beans in the oven. This a good alternative to drying the beans outside. Place your soybeans on cookie sheets in a 160 degree F oven for 30 to 60 minutes. Check for dryness periodically.
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Store your beans in an airtight container. Use a Mason jar or a plastic container with a tight-fitting lid.
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References
- Photo Credit ripe soybeans image by Carbonbrain from Fotolia.com
