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> Question: how does one consume a sweet miso? I know what to do with a

> dark miso or a doenjang (or at least, I know what *I* do with them!),

> but not sure how to handle a sweet one.

> --

> Ross McKay, Toronto, NSW Australia

> " Let the laddie play wi the knife - he'll learn "

> - The Wee Book of Calvin

>

***************

Hi Ross,

I use sweet miso the same way I use dark miso--in soups for flavoring

just before serving. The only difference between sweet miso and dark

miso is that it is more mellow in flavor. However, it is still

salty--just not as salty as red or dark miso. Sweet miso is actually

my favorite type of miso--I add it to soups or broth after removing

from the heat source (just before serving). It is delicious.

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G'day ,

>I use sweet miso the same way I use dark miso--in soups for flavoring

>just before serving. The only difference between sweet miso and dark

>miso is that it is more mellow in flavor. However, it is still

>salty--just not as salty as red or dark miso. Sweet miso is actually

>my favorite type of miso--I add it to soups or broth after removing

>from the heat source (just before serving). It is delicious.

Thanks, I look forward to trying it now. The smell is just amazing!

Nothing could have prepared me for that - so sweet!

Now that I have some rice koji going, I'm planning to keep it going for

a while and make about a batch a month or something like that, at least

for a few months. In your experience, how viable is it to keep reserving

a little koji to roll into the new batch? Is there some point at which

you just need to start afresh from the spore?

Would I be better off working up a batch of spore, as I've done with

tempeh? I could then just keep starting afresh from spore, or limit the

koji rollover to 2-3 generations or something.

Is there a guideline on this? The book " How to Cook with Miso " says

about 3 generations; Sandor's book doesn't mention it.

--

Ross McKay, Toronto, NSW Australia

The planet is in a pickle, but fermenting will help save us

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i use sweet miso for some sauces and some dressings as

well as some soups.

here is an herb miso salad dressing that i like very

much

1/2 cup soymilk

1/4 cup white miso (saikyo is best!)

1/4 rice vinegar

1 tbsp maple syrup

1/4 tsp karashi (dried mustard)

1 tbsp fresh basil

1 tbsp fresh tarragon

1 tbsp fresh parsley

blend well, let chill a couple of hours

enjoy! :)

phil

Philip Gelb

shakuhachi player, teacher

vegetarian chef

http://philipgelb.com

http://myspace.com/inthemoodforfood

http://myspace.com/philipgelb

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i use sweet miso for some sauces and some dressings as

well as some soups.

here is an herb miso salad dressing that i like very

much

1/2 cup soymilk

1/4 cup white miso (saikyo is best!)

1/4 rice vinegar

1 tbsp maple syrup

1/4 tsp karashi (dried mustard)

1 tbsp fresh basil

1 tbsp fresh tarragon

1 tbsp fresh parsley

blend well, let chill a couple of hours

enjoy! :)

phil

Philip Gelb

shakuhachi player, teacher

vegetarian chef

http://philipgelb.com

http://myspace.com/inthemoodforfood

http://myspace.com/philipgelb

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G'day Philip,

>i use sweet miso for some sauces and some dressings as

>well as some soups.

Ah, yes, sauce bases. Sounds good. I will play with that.

>here is an herb miso salad dressing that i like very much

>[...]

Thank you, I will store that one up for salad season (approaching fast

now)

--

Ross McKay, Toronto, NSW Australia

" Let the laddie play wi the knife - he'll learn "

- The Wee Book of Calvin

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--- Jasmine <purejasmine@...> wrote:

> Lovely recipe, Phil. I know you're a vegetarian, so

> I hope that I don't

> offend you, but could you use regular milk in the

> dressing as well? :)

> Jasmine

honestly, i have no idea since i never tried it. I

imagine it could work but? :)

phil

Philip Gelb

shakuhachi player, teacher

vegetarian chef

http://philipgelb.com

http://myspace.com/inthemoodforfood

http://myspace.com/philipgelb

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Most of the people I know seem to have bought into the recent news that soy

is bad for you, which is why I asked ;)

On 10/11/07, Philip Gelb <phil@...> wrote:

>

>

> --- Jasmine <purejasmine@... <purejasmine%40gmail.com>> wrote:

>

> > Lovely recipe, Phil. I know you're a vegetarian, so

> > I hope that I don't

> > offend you, but could you use regular milk in the

> > dressing as well? :)

> > Jasmine

>

> honestly, i have no idea since i never tried it. I

> imagine it could work but? :)

>

> phil

>

> Philip Gelb

> shakuhachi player, teacher

> vegetarian chef

> http://philipgelb.com

> http://myspace.com/inthemoodforfood

> http://myspace.com/philipgelb

>

>

>

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> Most of the people I know seem to have bought into

> the recent news that soy

> is bad for you, which is why I asked ;)

>

the irony of the anti-soy propoganda is rather

amusing. Sad how so many people believe it, especially

when it is based on incredibly shabby research.

phil

Philip Gelb

shakuhachi player, teacher

vegetarian chef

http://philipgelb.com

http://myspace.com/inthemoodforfood

http://myspace.com/philipgelb

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>

> the irony of the anti-soy propoganda is rather

> > amusing. Sad how so many people believe it, especially

> > when it is based on incredibly shabby research.

> >

>

> phil

> >

>

How so, Phil? I'd love to hear your perspective on this. I'm always

suspicious whenever I see any miracle food being hyped up in the media, or

the reverse!

Jasmine

>

>

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Actually, I think the research is rather solid and most of soy's supposed

health benefits are propagated by...the soy industry! Although some soy

products such as miso and traditional fermented tofu and soy sauce are

probably good, the processed products like soymilk, TSP, soy granules, etc

are, IMHO, harmful if consumed in any significant amount. Although I see

some folks point to Asian cultures to show soy's positives I'd also point

out that these cultures are not drinking soymilk, using TSP, etc.

See for some possible useful info

http://www.healingdaily.com/detoxification-diet/soy.htm

http://www.mercola.com/2005/feb/26/soy_myths.htm

http://credencegroup.co.uk/Eclub/Eclubsearchable2/230304/CTM-soy.htm

Re: Miso...

>> Most of the people I know seem to have bought into

>> the recent news that soy

>> is bad for you, which is why I asked ;)

>>

>

> the irony of the anti-soy propoganda is rather

> amusing. Sad how so many people believe it, especially

> when it is based on incredibly shabby research.

>

> phil

>

> Philip Gelb

> shakuhachi player, teacher

> vegetarian chef

> http://philipgelb.com

> http://myspace.com/inthemoodforfood

> http://myspace.com/philipgelb

>

>

>

>

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>

> Now that I have some rice koji going, I'm planning to keep it going for

> a while and make about a batch a month or something like that, at least

> for a few months. In your experience, how viable is it to keep reserving

> a little koji to roll into the new batch? Is there some point at which

> you just need to start afresh from the spore?

>

> Would I be better off working up a batch of spore, as I've done with

> tempeh? I could then just keep starting afresh from spore, or limit the

> koji rollover to 2-3 generations or something.

>

> Is there a guideline on this? The book " How to Cook with Miso " says

> about 3 generations; Sandor's book doesn't mention it.

> --

> Ross McKay, Toronto, NSW Australia

> The planet is in a pickle, but fermenting will help save us

>

***************

I started making my own spore by just letting the koji ripen to the

point it is growing green fuzz. I use this green spore in new

batches--just grind it up and add a bit of rice flour to it until it's

the same color as the spore you buy. I never even considered it might

not work--just seemed reasonable to me since I dislike having to buy

new spore when I can make my own easier and cheaper.

I would be interested in hearing whether anybody has experienced

" fizzed out " spore after continuing to make their own.

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I followed these links (apart from Mercola which just gives me a pop-up

subscription box which I am afraid annoys me) and they make a strong

case for the un healthiness of unfermented soya. Does anyone have a link

which puts a contrary case?

Sally

SeaDruid wrote:

> Actually, I think the research is rather solid and most of soy's supposed

> health benefits are propagated by...the soy industry! Although some soy

> products such as miso and traditional fermented tofu and soy sauce are

> probably good, the processed products like soymilk, TSP, soy granules, etc

> are, IMHO, harmful if consumed in any significant amount. Although I see

> some folks point to Asian cultures to show soy's positives I'd also point

> out that these cultures are not drinking soymilk, using TSP, etc.

>

> See for some possible useful info

>

> http://www.healingdaily.com/detoxification-diet/soy.htm

> http://www.mercola.com/2005/feb/26/soy_myths.htm

> http://credencegroup.co.uk/Eclub/Eclubsearchable2/230304/CTM-soy.htm

>

>

>

>

> Re: Miso...

>

>

>

>>> Most of the people I know seem to have bought into

>>> the recent news that soy

>>> is bad for you, which is why I asked ;)

>>>

>>>

>> the irony of the anti-soy propoganda is rather

>> amusing. Sad how so many people believe it, especially

>> when it is based on incredibly shabby research.

>>

>> phil

>>

>> Philip Gelb

>> shakuhachi player, teacher

>> vegetarian chef

>> http://philipgelb.com

>> http://myspace.com/inthemoodforfood

>> http://myspace.com/philipgelb

>>

>>

>>

>>

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Jasime, any food is bad for us-- if we study it enough, we will find

things in any food that are harmful to our health. With organically

grown soy beans, fermentation of the beans is essential in my books, and

this is the only way I use soy beans. I used to prepare soy milk on a

small commercial scale including tofu and tempeh. Yet, I was not one to

ever over-indulge in any of those products that at some point I had

coming out of my ears-- literally.

I learned about tofu in fresh or cooked form not being that good for me

personally many years ago, after having a first taste of well cooked

tofu not long after breaking a long fast. I felt very week within 15

minutes of eating the tofu that I prepared and cooked myself. But, a

fermented version of the tofu gave me no problem, it in fact it gave me

energy.

I was aware of this for some years before then, for I used to eat cooked

fresh tofu in moderation, which did effect my energy levels to some extent.

Used in moderation and taken with cooked foods in small amounts, things

like miso, soy sauce, sufu can be good for health. But the product

should be prepared from organically grown soy beans, and the product

should not be pasteurized, for it is the enzymes and peptides of those

ferments that are beneficial-- cooking destroys enzymes and possibly

alters the beneficial peptides.

Be-well,

Dom

Jasmine typed:

> Most of the people I know seem to have bought into the recent news that soy

> is bad for you, which is why I asked ;)

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I agree Phill,

We do not have to look that far/deep to see the agenda behind these

claims. Santos for one--- the anti-Santos campaign which China got

behind in recent times. Folks eating less meat and the like. What about

this, " Feed the man meat " [aimed at parents with growing up boys] is one

such campaign here in Australia. Read between the lines folks--- think

and research for yourselves.

Be-well,

Dom

Philip Gelb typed:

>> Most of the people I know seem to have bought into

>> the recent news that soy

>> is bad for you, which is why I asked ;)

>>

>

> the irony of the anti-soy propoganda is rather

> amusing. Sad how so many people believe it, especially

> when it is based on incredibly shabby research.

>

> phil

>

> Philip Gelb

> shakuhachi player, teacher

> vegetarian chef

> http://philipgelb.com

> http://myspace.com/inthemoodforfood

> http://myspace.com/philipgelb

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Very good points! . I fully agree.

Be-well,

Dom

SeaDruid typed:

> Actually, I think the research is rather solid and most of soy's supposed

> health benefits are propagated by...the soy industry! Although some soy

> products such as miso and traditional fermented tofu and soy sauce are

> probably good, the processed products like soymilk, TSP, soy granules, etc

> are, IMHO, harmful if consumed in any significant amount. Although I see

> some folks point to Asian cultures to show soy's positives I'd also point

> out that these cultures are not drinking soymilk, using TSP, etc.

>

> See for some possible useful info

>

> http://www.healingdaily.com/detoxification-diet/soy.htm

> http://www.mercola.com/2005/feb/26/soy_myths.htm

> http://credencegroup.co.uk/Eclub/Eclubsearchable2/230304/CTM-soy.htm

>

>

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> I followed these links (apart from Mercola which

> just gives me a pop-up

> subscription box which I am afraid annoys me) and

> they make a strong

> case for the un healthiness of unfermented soya.

> Does anyone have a link

> which puts a contrary case?

rather than a link, look at the communities that for

centuries have used soy; i.e. the buddhist communities

in Japan and China. If you look there, you will not

find the problems that the anti-soy propoganda is

always ranting about.

At the same time, these communities are, as someone on

this list pointed out, not using tvp and other highly

processed soy products! They are using things like

soymilk, tofu, yuba, shoyu, miso, tamari, natto and in

Indonesia, tempeh. All of these are fermented except

for soymilk, tofu and yuba.

Contrary to the anti soy propoganda, soy is not simply

a condiment in these cultures but is eaten regularly,

at most meals. At least that is my own observation

from my times spent in Japan.

Personally, i do not trust research that is pro soy

funded by the soy companies and certainly do not trust

the anti soy research funded by dairy and meat

industries.

phil

Philip Gelb

shakuhachi player, teacher

vegetarian chef

http://philipgelb.com

http://myspace.com/inthemoodforfood

http://myspace.com/philipgelb

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I'm afraid I'm not clever enough to " look deep to see the agenda " etc.

If you have a point to make please make it. I can't follow all this

hint/hint stuff

Sally

Dominic N Anfiteatro wrote:

> I agree Phill,

>

> We do not have to look that far/deep to see the agenda behind these

> claims. Santos for one--- the anti-Santos campaign which China got

> behind in recent times. Folks eating less meat and the like. What about

> this, " Feed the man meat " [aimed at parents with growing up boys] is one

> such campaign here in Australia. Read between the lines folks--- think

> and research for yourselves.

>

> Be-well,

> Dom

>

> Philip Gelb typed:

>

>>> Most of the people I know seem to have bought into

>>> the recent news that soy

>>> is bad for you, which is why I asked ;)

>>>

>>>

>> the irony of the anti-soy propoganda is rather

>> amusing. Sad how so many people believe it, especially

>> when it is based on incredibly shabby research.

>>

>> phil

>>

>> Philip Gelb

>> shakuhachi player, teacher

>> vegetarian chef

>> http://philipgelb.com

>> http://myspace.com/inthemoodforfood

>> http://myspace.com/philipgelb

>>

>

>

>

>

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I wasn't giving much thought to my post, it came at the end of a long

day. You missed my point though, " think and research for yourselves " .

One of my other tallents is to " draw out " from wounds, be it on what

ever level one may see this, so maybe this is what I've done here with

you, Sally? [no disrespect intended, simple odservation/question]

You do not have to be cleaver, nor afraid either. A worm/cat/dog knows

what to stay away from, using basic " instinct " , fear come later as a

secondary reaction.

I know what's good for me, for I've done the research for myself [work

still in progress and possibly till the day I die]. This does not mean

that it is for others, nor do I claim or endorse it as such.

There's good science and there are good scientists. But not all results

of certain sciences fits all shoes, for what's good for the goose still

remains the same, it may not be good for the gander [foods, medicine].

I'm not a classically trained scientist, but when I see some of the

things that so called scientists have used or the scientists have been

USED to get a point across, which to me clearly had a hidden agenda, I

just have to look at folks' reactions around me to see that most of

their work " WORKED " --- they got the point across that they wanted to get

across= bad science = propaganda. I guess you want specifics? The

question is, are you ready for them?

I walk among blind sheep most days, and I'm one too on other days.

Be-well,

Dom

On 10/13/2007 1:01:21 AM, Eva family (bobsallyeva@...) wrote:

> I'm afraid I'm not clever enough to " look deep to see the agenda " etc.

> If you have a point to make please make it. I can't follow all this

> hint/hint stuff

> Sally

> Dominic N Anfiteatro wrote:

> > I agree Phill,

> >

> > We do not have to look that far/deep to see the agenda behind these

> > claims. Santos for one--- the anti-Santos campaign which China got

> > behind in recent times. Folks eating less meat and the like. What about

> > this, " Feed the man meat " [aimed at parents with growing up boys] is one

> > such

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This soy topic always rouses passionate feelings. Unfortunately there's an

endless maze of commentary verifying the adage " a little knowledge is a

dangerous thing " .

The most relevant fact about soy isn't controversial. It's basic scientific

knowledge known for decades and has nothing to do with political agendas and

funding.

1) Soy contains an unusually high amount of phyto-estrogens that affect the

human hormonal system, especially the thyroid, and the amounts are higher in

recent breeds of soy.

In other words, like thousands of other plant foods, soy is a medicinal

food. Like any medicine, it can be helpful or harmful depending on the

condition of the person. For the small percentage of people with overactive

thyroids, it's apparently helpful. For everyone else, it's potentially

harmful. The difference between a medicine and a toxin is often just the

person consuming it or the amount consumed. Lots of common herbal foods are

dangerous in large amounts, but beneficial, harmless, or aesthetically

wonderful in their typical usage.

As far as fermentation is concerned, it's a myth that fermented soy is okay.

2) Fermentation doesn't eliminate the phyto-estrogens. To the contrary, it

makes them more bioavailable. In other words, the serious danger of soy is

still there when you eat natto, miso, tempeh, tamari, and subu.

3) Fermentation makes soy moderately more nutritious by reducing

anti-nutrients (e.g. phytic acid, antitrypsin). Other benefits include

flavor, food preservation, and the generation of additional nutrients (e.g.

vit K2 in natto, B-vitamins).

However, except for tempeh, note that that fermented soy foods are

inherently unsuited to consumption in more than small amounts, and that

there are other foods (pomegrantes, clover, fenugreek, etc) that also have

phyto-estrogens. Also note that brassicas (cabbage, kale, mustard,

broccoli, etc) have goitrogens that can cause also problems for

hypothyroidic people. Food and health is complicated and subtle.

Also note that soy is nutritionally interchangeable with other legumes (e.g.

lentils, peas, beans, etc) that don't have the special problems of soy.

Some sociological observations:

4) The most influential anti-soy organization is the Weston A. Price

Foundation, which has no funding from the meat and dairy industry. In fact,

they are activists against this industry. Their basic agenda is to promote

traditional omnivorous diets and local sustainable agriculture.

5) Some people say that soy was only used in very small amounts until recent

decades when it became commonly eaten in large amounts all over the world.

It's hard to get solid facts about this, but obviously anyone's observations

about soy's usage in Asia in the past few decades is totally irrelevant.

Further, historical anecdotes about the dietary habits of tiny demographics

(e.g. Buddhist monks, etc) are irrelevant to this question.

6) Iodine-rich sea vegetables are very commonly eaten in Asia and many

people have suggested that this counteracts the goitrogenic effects of soy.

The bottom line:

7) If you don't have a special thyroid problem or a soy-allergy, eating

small amounts of soy in any form is probably harmless.

8) Eating substantial amounts of soy in any form is risky for anyone.

Mike

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Dom

I think you are right. My yoga teacher who was a master said it is

best to eat soy with lemon juice so it will digest. It is one of the

hardest foods to digest. However, if we ferment soy, it is even

better and infinitely easier to digest.

GB

>

> Jasime, any food is bad for us-- if we study it enough, we will

find

> things in any food that are harmful to our health. With organically

> grown soy beans, fermentation of the beans is essential in my

books, and

> this is the only way I use soy beans. I used to prepare soy milk on

a

> small commercial scale including tofu and tempeh. Yet, I was not

one to

> ever over-indulge in any of those products that at some point I had

> coming out of my ears-- literally.

>

> I learned about tofu in fresh or cooked form not being that good

for me

> personally many years ago, after having a first taste of well

cooked

> tofu not long after breaking a long fast. I felt very week within

15

> minutes of eating the tofu that I prepared and cooked myself. But,

a

> fermented version of the tofu gave me no problem, it in fact it

gave me

> energy.

>

> I was aware of this for some years before then, for I used to eat

cooked

> fresh tofu in moderation, which did effect my energy levels to some

extent.

>

>

> Used in moderation and taken with cooked foods in small amounts,

things

> like miso, soy sauce, sufu can be good for health. But the product

> should be prepared from organically grown soy beans, and the

product

> should not be pasteurized, for it is the enzymes and peptides of

those

> ferments that are beneficial-- cooking destroys enzymes and

possibly

> alters the beneficial peptides.

>

> Be-well,

> Dom

>

>

>

> Jasmine typed:

> > Most of the people I know seem to have bought into the recent

news that soy

> > is bad for you, which is why I asked ;)

>

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Very interesting, . Since I use very little soy it is not an issue

with me, but I will be interested to research your points, one by one, to

check their validity and/or controversial views. Fascinating.

My suspicion of soy has arisen more from soy OIL and what I have read about

it. From my understanding the soy oil industry is responsible for removing a

perfectly healthful oil, coconut oil, from general usage. the result

produced the explosion of hydrogenated oils, trans-fats, and preservatives.

Coconut oil, being saturated, required no hydrogenation, had no trans-fats

and has a naturally preservative function in products. After is was removed

via pressure from the soy industry, we required hydrogenated soy oil and

preservatives to replace it.

I love coconut oil. If you have a chance to use pure virgin coconut oil,

please try it, very good tasting.

Re: Miso...

> This soy topic always rouses passionate feelings. Unfortunately there's

> an

> endless maze of commentary verifying the adage " a little knowledge is a

> dangerous thing " .

>

> The most relevant fact about soy isn't controversial. It's basic

> scientific

> knowledge known for decades and has nothing to do with political agendas

> and

> funding.

>

> 1) Soy contains an unusually high amount of phyto-estrogens that affect

> the

> human hormonal system, especially the thyroid, and the amounts are higher

> in

> recent breeds of soy.

>

> In other words, like thousands of other plant foods, soy is a medicinal

> food. Like any medicine, it can be helpful or harmful depending on the

> condition of the person. For the small percentage of people with

> overactive

> thyroids, it's apparently helpful. For everyone else, it's potentially

> harmful. The difference between a medicine and a toxin is often just the

> person consuming it or the amount consumed. Lots of common herbal foods

> are

> dangerous in large amounts, but beneficial, harmless, or aesthetically

> wonderful in their typical usage.

>

> As far as fermentation is concerned, it's a myth that fermented soy is

> okay.

>

>

> 2) Fermentation doesn't eliminate the phyto-estrogens. To the contrary, it

> makes them more bioavailable. In other words, the serious danger of soy is

> still there when you eat natto, miso, tempeh, tamari, and subu.

>

> 3) Fermentation makes soy moderately more nutritious by reducing

> anti-nutrients (e.g. phytic acid, antitrypsin). Other benefits include

> flavor, food preservation, and the generation of additional nutrients

> (e.g.

> vit K2 in natto, B-vitamins).

>

> However, except for tempeh, note that that fermented soy foods are

> inherently unsuited to consumption in more than small amounts, and that

> there are other foods (pomegrantes, clover, fenugreek, etc) that also have

> phyto-estrogens. Also note that brassicas (cabbage, kale, mustard,

> broccoli, etc) have goitrogens that can cause also problems for

> hypothyroidic people. Food and health is complicated and subtle.

>

> Also note that soy is nutritionally interchangeable with other legumes

> (e.g.

> lentils, peas, beans, etc) that don't have the special problems of soy.

>

> Some sociological observations:

>

> 4) The most influential anti-soy organization is the Weston A. Price

> Foundation, which has no funding from the meat and dairy industry. In

> fact,

> they are activists against this industry. Their basic agenda is to promote

> traditional omnivorous diets and local sustainable agriculture.

>

> 5) Some people say that soy was only used in very small amounts until

> recent

> decades when it became commonly eaten in large amounts all over the world.

> It's hard to get solid facts about this, but obviously anyone's

> observations

> about soy's usage in Asia in the past few decades is totally irrelevant.

> Further, historical anecdotes about the dietary habits of tiny

> demographics

> (e.g. Buddhist monks, etc) are irrelevant to this question.

>

> 6) Iodine-rich sea vegetables are very commonly eaten in Asia and many

> people have suggested that this counteracts the goitrogenic effects of

> soy.

>

> The bottom line:

>

> 7) If you don't have a special thyroid problem or a soy-allergy, eating

> small amounts of soy in any form is probably harmless.

>

> 8) Eating substantial amounts of soy in any form is risky for anyone.

>

> Mike

>

>

>

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Anton wrote:

>[...]

>Also note that soy is nutritionally interchangeable with other legumes (e.g.

>lentils, peas, beans, etc) that don't have the special problems of soy.

>[...]

I don't want to step into this emotional realm at all, but feel some

need to back up the statement above and reinforce it: soybeans are

dreadfully dull, by comparison with other legumes. While the debate

rages on about whether we should or should not eat soy, lots of other

legumes are there for our eating pleasure.

When used whole in cooking, soy beans have a nice buttery flavour, but I

find them utterly boring next to such wonders as lima beans, black-eyed

peas, borlotti beans, adzuki beans, urad beans, mung beans (especially

sprouted) and chickpeas.

When it comes to tempeh, Rhizopus oligosporus will happily chow down on

the much tastier borlotti beans, as well as fava beans, chickpeas, and

pretty much any other legume you want to throw at it (and is quite

content with grains too). Here in Oz, at least, it is easier to find

split Desi chickpeas (chana dal) and split fava beans than it is to find

split soybeans, thus there is an additional incentive to use these.

As for miso et al, Aspergillus oryzae and others are quite at ease with

non-soy legumes and regional specialties are indeed made from such

legumes as fava beans and chickpeas. I don't know what the liquid sauces

from such ferments would be like, but I'd imagine that they'd be equally

good if a little different. I have a 100% chickpea (chana dal) miso on

the go now, and am looking forward to seeing how it turns out. (There

are also two soybean misos, and I'll be starting a fava bean miso next

weekend)

So, let everyone else argue about soybeans, and get out there and try

the other offerings!

--

Ross McKay, Toronto, NSW Australia

" Before enlightenment: chop wood, carry water;

After enlightenment: chop wood, carry water " - Wu Li

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Hello Ross,

<<find them utterly boring next to such wonders as lima beans, black-eyed

peas, borlotti beans, adzuki beans, urad beans, mung beans (especially

sprouted) and chickpeas.>>

I'm Cuban, so I must add black beans to the list. YUM!!! Out of this world

delicious and don't quote me on this, but might be leading the pack

nutritionally (or at least I like to think so). Certainly leading the pack with

flavor.

Of course, I have a billy goat stomach, having been raised on a broad daily

variety of beans, except interestingly enough, Cuban cuisine does not include

soybeans.

Millie

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