Natto...the wonderfully slimey, smelly, good for you food of Japan. It is soybeans that have been fermented and is often eaten for breakfast. Natto, which is pronounced (oddly enough) "not-toe" is definitely an acquired taste, even for people who grew up in Japan. If it were to be sold here in America I would name it "I can't believe it's Not Toes!" Yes, the smell is quite unique to say the least. There are no toes in it, but does smell a bit like that. It tastes like soy beans, but with a bit of tangy cheesiness. Most natto comes with a little packet of sauce and mustard to mix in. Depending on the region, some people may add an egg or some scallions to give it a little more flavor.
Natto is well know for it's health benefits and is good source of protein. A lot of women in Japan love to eat it for skincare benefits. Some health benefits include: reduction of blood clotting, prevention of certain cancers, preventing osteoporosis, lowering cholesterol, and improvement of digestion.
How To Eat Natto!
The sauce and mustard come inside the package
Remove the sauce and mustard packet from the package
Remove the plastic covering off of the beans
Remove the lid by tearing it by the perforation
Squeeze the sauce and mustard on the beans
Use the lid as a place to put all your trash
Mix the beans, sauce, and mustard all together...make sure it gets slimey
Separate the yolk from an egg
Drop the yolk on to the beans (A lot of you might be pretty grossed out by now)
Again, put your trash on the lid
Stir again until the yolk is completely mixed with the beans
Pour natto over steaming hot rice, throw lid on top and throw away immediately. (It stinks)
Enjoy with a side of miso soup
Itadakimasu!
Gochisou-sama!
Words for today:
Itadakimsasu!- (eeh-tah-dah-key-mah-s)...what you say before you eat a meal.
Gochisousama!- (go-chee-sew-sah-ma)...what you say at the end of a meal.
Rice- gohan(go-hahn)
Egg- Tamago (tah-mah-go)
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I tasted some of this--the pack you gave to Penny. Yuck! It tasted like licking a battery!
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