Natto My Favorite Protein by Naomi Ichikawa Esko

What is Natto?

Natto is a traditional Japanese preparation of fermented soybeans. Often served as a breakfast food, it is paired with mustard, soy sauce and minced scallion. Natto’s pungent smell, strong flavor, and unique texture a combination of sticky and slimy make it an acquired taste for most.

A Japanese survey revealed that 70.2% of Japanese people find the taste pleasant, and others who may not find the taste of the food pleasant still eat it for health benefits. Natto is most popular in Japan’s eastern regions including Kanto, Tohoku, and Hokkaido. In fact, the Kanto region is home to the natto capital of Japan and therefore the world. Mito City, located in Ibaraki Prefecture, boasts a golden natto statue on of the south side of its central train station!

Why is Natto good for you?

Natto is rich in protein, probiotics, vitamins and minerals, all which contribute to a healthy immune system. Natto’s combination of fiber, probiotics and nattokinase may help reduce cholesterol and blood pressure levels, thus decreasing the risk of heart disease.

The fermentation of the soybeans reduces their antinutrients phytate, tannins, protease inhibitors, calcium oxalate and lectins, increases their beneficial plant compounds, and helps your body to maximize absorption of available nutrients.

Natto is rich in calcium and vitamin K2. In fact, natto has more vitamin K2 than most all other foods. Vitamin K2 plays an essential role in bone health by activating bone-building proteins that help to bring and hold calcium in your bones.

Natto is safe for most people to eat, though individuals on blood-thinning medication or with thyroid problems should consult their doctor before adding natto to their diet.

Why is natto with brown rice a winning combination?

Brown rice is a super balanced and nutritious food, however if not chewed well, it can be challenging to digest for most. Natto can aid in the digestion of brown rice. Pairing brown rice and natto together gives an immense boost to the health benefits of both superfoods at the same time!

☆Where can you purchase non-gmo soy beans?

My favorite soy beans are Launa Soybeans.

1. Small size soy beans 13Lbs. $26.95.

Laura Soybeans for Soymilk and Tofu

2. Bigger size soy beans 13Lbs. $28.50.

13 Lbs. NON-GMO Natto Soybeans 2020 Crop Best for Natto & Sprouting – Laura® Soybeans

※The Choice Is Yours I prefer natto made using the bigger size soy beans and my husband prefers the smaller size. For natto lovers I recommend bigger size, and for natto beginners I recommend smaller size.

Where can you purchase natto?

Rhapsody natural foods

Natto – (rhapsodynaturalfoods.com)

Making Natto Spores Using Rice Straw:  First Step – Prepare Rice Straw

• 1.Cut rice straw into approximately 3-inch-long sections.

• 2.In a pot, bring 2-4 cups of water to a rolling boil.

• 3.Add rice straw to water and boil for 10 minutes.

• 4.Drain water and allow boiled rice straw to cool until steaming stops.

• 5.Put cooling, boiled rice straw in a Ziplock and keep it in a freezer.

☆Making Natto Using Rice Straw

Ingredients

1 cup nongmo soy beans

3-5 Pre-boiled organic rice straw pieces

*If you keep rice straw in a freezer, before you use it, it is important to defrost for 10 to 15 minutes on the counter to bring back to room temperature

Equipment:

• Pressure cooker
• Strainer
• Spoon
• Glass Jar
• Cotton cloth
• Cool box
• Empty glass bottles
• Thermometer

1. Be sure that all utensils and dishes are clean and sterile, as well as your hands. This ensures that no additional/unwanted bacteria interfere with the fermentation process.
2. To begin, wash the soybeans with a strainer and then soak them in water for overnight up to 24 hours. In the winter season, always soak for full 24 hours.
3. Boil the soybeans in a pressure cooker for 30 minutes, until they can be easily crushed with your fingers. Drain the soybeans. Alternatively, you can steam the soybeans in a pressure cooker for 60 to 80 minutes, until they can be easily crushed with your fingers.
4. Pour the soybeans into pre-sterilized glass jars.
5. Add rice straw sections into the jars.
6. Place a sterilized cotton cloth or cheesecloth over the jars.
7. Boil water and pour into glass bottles to keep the temperature warm enough (115°F) in an insulated cooler.
8. Put the soybean-filled jars in the insulated cooler.
9. Use a thermometer to check the temperature in the box every three hours, and if it is not warm enough boil fresh water. IMPORTANT Temperature must be kept between 110°F to 120°F to provide appropriate heat for fermentation. The ideal temperature is anywhere between 110-120°F. In winter 115-120°F, In summer 110-115°F.
10. After 24 hours check the soybeans in the jars. If they are covered by a white membrane, then your natto is done! If not, you will need keep it in the box with hot water bottles until the white membrane forms to cover the soybeans. Please note that the maximum should not be more than an additional 12 hours, total fermentation time not to exceed 36 hours.
11. When your fermentation is complete, remove the jars from the box and allow to cool. Remove the cloth, replace lids and refrigerate the jars overnight.
12. Please enjoy one day later, and store in your refrigerator.

※Natto can be stored in the refrigerator for up to one week and can also be frozen for up to two months.

Alternative Heating Options During Fermentation

・Electric blanket.

・Oven with low temperature setting.

・Yogurt maker.

☆KEY POINTS

Sanitize all equipment & your hands very well to ensure no other bacteria interfere with the fermentation process.

Keep temperature between 110-120°F for 24 hours or more.

☆How to Eat Natto: Basic

1 cup Natto (plain)

2 teaspoons shoyu *adjust as preferred

1 teaspoon mustard

Chopped scallion, for garnish

Mix well and pour over cooked brown rice.

☆Variation of basic Natto.

1. Avocado, scallion, shoyu, mustard, sesame oil

2. Kimchi, sesame oil,

3. Grated daikon, scallion, shoyu, ※recipe from Basic

※Shredded nori is good for any way to eat natto.

☆Why is it important to mix well?

Mixing well activates the natto, further increasing its beneficial properties and adding umami – yum!

The stickiness of natto is from nattokinase natto bacteria. If your natto becomes very sticky, then you can rest assured that your natto is very good quality and condition.

☆Natto & Vegetable Lettuce Wraps

Several Boston lettuces leaves

Minced onion

Minced carrot

Minced scallion

Corn fresh or frozen

1 teaspoon shoyu

1 teaspoon mirin or maple syrup

Oil for frying

• 1.Rinse several lettuce leaves and pat dry being careful not tear them.

• Set aside.

• 2.Heat a skillet over medium-high heat. Add all vegetables and sauté until translucent.

• 3.Add Natto and shoyu and mirin or maple syrup. Sauté for 3 minutes.

• 4.Arrange lettuce leaves around the outer edge of a large serving platter and pile vegetable mixture in the center.

Naomi Ichikawa Esko
Founder Macrobiotics Japan, Co-founder International Macrobiotic Institute (IMI)

Naomi Ichikawa Esko is a 2010 graduate of the Kushi Institute (K.I.) in
Massachusetts. Prior to her studies at the K.I., she worked in the restaurant
industry in her native Tokyo Japan.

In 2011, Naomi established an educational center known as Macrobiotics Japan. She also managed a consulting business, providing healthy recipe and menu-building services to restaurants.

Naomi currently resides in Western Massachusetts with her husband, Edward Esko.