AGRICULTURE REPORT - Soybeans

AGRICULTURE REPORT - September 24, 2002: Soybeans

By Gary Garriott

This is the VOA Special English Agriculture Report.

Soybeans are a valuable part of the world’s food supply. They are grown in many countries. The major
producers are the United States, Brazil, China and Argentina. Many food products are made from soybeans. For
example, oil from soybeans is the largest single source of vegetable oil in the world.

Twenty percent of the soybean is oil. Fatty acids in the oil are thought to protect against
heart attacks. The solid substance that remains² after the oil has been removed from
soybeans is called soy cake or meal. It has a large amount of protein, about forty percent
by weight. Often the soy cake or meal is used to feed animals.

Young soybean plants, called sprouts³, are a popular food in Asian countries. The sprouts
grow from dry beans. The beans are placed in water for about twelve hours and then
placed in a covered container for five to ten days.

Water can also be added to crushed whole soybeans to make soy milk. It has about the
same amount of nutrients⁴ as cow’s milk.

But it has less fat than cow’s milk. And it does not harm people who have a bad reaction to a substance in
cow’s milk called lactose.

Other products can be made from soy milk. One of them is soy curd⁵, better known as tofu. Tofu can be cooked,
dried or frozen to make many different kinds of food.

Other products are made from soybeans in a process similar to making alcoholic⁶ drinks. One of them is soy
sauce. It is a dark brown liquid that has a salty taste. Soy sauce can be added to many meats and vegetables. In
many countries, soybean protein is mixed with maize⁷ and wheat to produce a very nutritious⁸ food. In Guatemala,
the mixture is called “incaparina.” In Ethiopia it is called “faffa.” In Bolivia it is called “maisoy.” And in
South Africa it is called “pro¹ nutro.
”

The very large increase in soybean production is due to the increasing popularity of soy as food oil and as cake
for animal feed. In addition, soy protein is low in cost and has many nutrients. Eating more soy beans can mean
better nutrition around the world.

You can get more information about soybeans from the group Volunteers in Technical Assistance. You can
contact VITA through the Internet at its world wide web address, w-w-w dot v-i-t-a dot o-r-g.

This VOA Special English Agriculture Report was written by Gary Garriott.

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1 pro   

n.赞成，赞成的意见，赞成者

参考例句：

• The two debating teams argued the question pro and con.辩论的两组从赞成与反对两方面辩这一问题。
• Are you pro or con nuclear disarmament?你是赞成还是反对核裁军？

2 remains   

n.剩余物，残留物；遗体，遗迹

参考例句：

• He ate the remains of food hungrily.他狼吞虎咽地吃剩余的食物。
• The remains of the meal were fed to the dog.残羹剩饭喂狗了。

3 sprouts   

n.新芽，嫩枝( sprout的名词复数 )v.发芽( sprout的第三人称单数 )；抽芽；出现；（使）涌现出

参考例句：

• The wheat sprouts grew perceptibly after the rain. 下了一场雨，麦苗立刻见长。 来自《现代汉英综合大词典》
• The sprouts have pushed up the earth. 嫩芽把土顶起来了。 来自《现代汉英综合大词典》

4 nutrients   

n.（食品或化学品）营养物，营养品( nutrient的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• a lack of essential nutrients 基本营养的缺乏
• Nutrients are absorbed into the bloodstream. 营养素被吸收进血液。 来自《简明英汉词典》

5 curd   

n.凝乳；凝乳状物

参考例句：

• I'd like to add some pepper to the bean curd.我想在豆腐里加一点辣椒粉。
• The next one is bean curd with crab roe.下一个是蟹黄豆腐。

6 alcoholic   

adj.（含）酒精的，由酒精引起的；n.酗酒者

参考例句：

• The alcoholic strength of brandy far exceeds that of wine.白兰地的酒精浓度远远超过葡萄酒。
• Alcoholic drinks act as a poison to a child.酒精饮料对小孩犹如毒药。

7 maize   

n.玉米

参考例句：

• There's a field planted with maize behind the house.房子后面有一块玉米地。
• We can grow sorghum or maize on this plot.这块地可以种高粱或玉米。

8 nutritious   

adj.有营养的，营养价值高的

参考例句：

• Fresh vegetables are very nutritious.新鲜蔬菜富于营养。
• Hummingbirds have discovered that nectar and pollen are very nutritious.蜂鸟发现花蜜和花粉是很有营养的。