natto
Sticky fermented beans
Natto is a traditional Japanese food made from soybeans fermented with bacteria.
The fermentation produces a distinctive stringy, sticky texture and a pungent smell that many find off-putting.
Natto is typically eaten over rice with soy sauce and mustard: I'm still trying to acquire a taste for natto.
It's prized in Japan for its nutritional value, particularly its protein and vitamin K content.
Protein-rich Asian legume
- legumePod-producing plant family
- proteinFolded amino chain
- edamameYoung soybeans in pods
- tempehFermented soybean patty
miso · soy · isoflavones · phytoestrogens · plant-based · complete protein · bean · crop
Microbial sugar conversion
- bacteriaNucleus-free single-celled organisms
- probioticHealthful live microorganism supplement
- Bacillus subtilisRod-shaped soil bacterium
- microbiomeBody's microbial community
cultured · enzymes · bioactive · beneficial · kefir · kimchi · tempeh · miso
Apt to adhere
- stringyFull of fibers
- slimyWet, slippery, unpleasant
- gooeySoft and sticky
- viscousThick and slow-flowing
glutinous · mucilaginous · ropy · stretchy · webbing · threads · pulling · clingy
soybean
Protein-rich Asian legume
tempeh · miso · soy · isoflavones · phytoestrogens · plant-based · complete protein · bean · crop · harvest
fermentation
Microbial sugar conversion
- bacteriaNucleus-free single-celled organisms
- probioticHealthful live microorganism supplement
- Bacillus subtilisRod-shaped soil bacterium
microbiome · cultured · enzymes · bioactive · beneficial · kefir · kimchi · tempeh · miso · sauerkraut
sticky
Apt to adhere
viscous · glutinous · mucilaginous · ropy · stretchy · webbing · threads · pulling · clingy · cohesive
savory
Appetizing, not sweet
depth · pungent · funky · earthy · complex · acquired taste · strong · aromatic · mouthfeel · intense
rice
Staple cereal grain
tare · okra · breakfast · donburi · maki · sushi · furikake · chopsticks · mixing · topping
- Japanese foodsushi, ramen, tempura, sashimi, miso
- Acquired Tastesdurian, blue cheese, Marmite, Vegemite, black licorice
- breakfastsAmerican breakfast, English breakfast, continental breakfast, full English, Scottish breakfast
- Fermented Foodskimchi, sauerkraut, miso, yogurt, soy sauce
- plant-based foodsmiso, tempeh, seitan, edamame, bean curd
- Korean cuisinegochujang, soy sauce, sesame oil, fish sauce, red pepper paste
nattotofu
Coagulated soy milk block
edamame · silken tofu · soy milk · tempeh
nattoplain rice
Unseasoned cooked grain
white bread · crackers · tofu · firm tofu · steamed vegetables
nattowhite rice
Refined grain, husk removed
plain bread · cheese · eggs · chicken · apple