Soy mince: health benefits and how to cook it at home

Soy mince, along with tempeh, plant-based milk, and tofu, is extremely popular among vegetarians, vegans, and followers of a healthy lifestyle. It is rich in easily digestible plant-based protein, iron, and B vitamins, which help normalize heart and blood vessel function and contribute to lowering «bad» cholesterol levels.

Soy mince: description and key features

Soy mince is a product with a mild, barely noticeable plant-based aroma and a delicate, neutral taste. Visually, it resembles traditional minced meat and is a semi-finished product that requires soaking before use. It is made from untreated soy granules.

Notably, as early as 2800 BC, soybeans were considered a staple food for the population of China. By the first century AD, they were actively consumed in other Asian countries, while they reached the New World only at the end of the 18th century.

Originally, soy was food for the poor, who could not afford poultry or meat. Its real popularity came relatively recently, when lactose-free products that do not cause obesity, hypertension, and other serious diseases became especially sought after.

How soy mince is made

The raw material for soy mince is soy meal obtained after pressing crude oil from whole, unprocessed soybeans.

It is also produced from defatted soy flour using extrusion cooking technology, which involves high temperature and pressure. The result is a dough-like mass that is shaped into granules and then dried in industrial dehydrators.

In addition to dried soy meal, soy or corn oil, dried powdered carrots, mushrooms, herbs, and other ingredients may be added to soy mince.

Composition and health benefits of soy mince

Soy mince made from soy meal contains a high amount of plant protein that is comparable in biological value to animal protein. It is also rich in dietary fiber, minerals such as phosphorus, magnesium, potassium, calcium, and sodium, as well as vitamins A, K, PP, H, B4, B5, B6, and B9. It contains trace elements including manganese, copper, zinc, and selenium, as well as a special form of sucrose that does not increase blood glucose levels.

A 100-gram serving of soy mince contains between 270 and 320 kcal, making it suitable even for people who are managing their weight or monitoring calorie intake.

Regular consumption of soy mince dishes such as patties, meatballs, and cutlets helps with:

• Building muscle mass;
• Controlling body fat levels;
• Normalizing blood pressure;
• Strengthening bones and tooth enamel;
• Improving the condition of hair, nails, and eyelashes;
• Enhancing muscle contraction, strength, and endurance;

How to make soy mince at home

Soy mince, sometimes referred to as soy meat, can easily be prepared at home. To do this, wash and sort the soybeans if necessary, then boil them in salted water until fully cooked. Drain the beans, let them cool, and blend them until smooth. Add salt, spices, fresh or dried finely chopped herbs, and/or boiled vegetables such as carrots, onions, or celery root if desired.

Homemade soy mince is perfect for making vegan cutlets, meatballs, patties, and other plant-based meat alternatives. Unlike store-bought products, it contains no preservatives, stabilizers, or other unnecessary additives.

CraftOil organic soybeans – the perfect base for soy mince and more

CraftOil offers fresh, premium-quality, certified organic soybeans grown in environmentally clean regions without the use of preservatives or agricultural pesticides. They are ideal for direct consumption, making homemade soy mince, and cold-pressing valuable soy oil rich in omega fatty acids, minerals and vitamins.

In addition, our website offers branded oil presses for producing oils from grains, nuts, and seeds. Each press comes fully equipped and includes a 1-year warranty. To learn more about making oil at home or to order organic soybeans, simply leave a request on our website.