Fresh Edamame beans are set to hit Tesco stores this week as the retailer takes its inspiration from celebrity fans of the product.
Victoria Beckham, Gwyneth Paltrow and Delia Smith have all made public their taste for the diet-friendly green baby soya bean.
Tesco has pointed to the healthy credentials of Edamame, which has virtually all the health benefits of meat and a high vitamin content, as a key selling point. It is selling fresh edamame beans in 225g packs for £1.99.
Tesco salad food buyer Sam Wright said: “Edamame beans are one of the most talked about foods in Britain right now on account of their supposed amazing nutritional benefits.
“They are a major foodie trend and are eaten by popping the pods into your mouth straight from the bean. Until now you could only really find the fresh variety in Japanese restaurants.
“Basically they are baby soya beans which when boiled in water and then sprinkled with sea salt form a delicious snack.”
The beans, which grow in clusters on bushy branches, originate in south east Asia and have been used there for more than 2,000 years as a major source of protein.
Wright said: “We’ve sold the frozen soya bean variety for 18 months now and sales have grown by 20 per cent in the last year alone, purely by word of mouth.
“Edamame beans are so popular that they are now being grown in Britain and we are presently investigating selling those later in the year.”
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