Also known as Semen Sojae Preparatum in Latin, fermented soybean means the fermented soy products of the mature seeds from Glycine max (L.) Merr., which is a species of legume native to East Asia. In China the soya bean plants grow across the country. Before the use, it is usually dried first in the sun and used in the unprocessed form. Prepared soybean is oval, slightly flat, 0.6 to 1cm long, and 0.5 to 0.7 in diameter. Surface is black, with rough shrinking. It is soft and with brownish-black section. It smells pleasantly and tastes slightly sweet.

RECOMMENDED FOODS WITH SOY
Thanks to their richness in soy protein, soya beans are made into tofu, soy milk, and soy powder to maximize the soy health benefits. Compared to animal proteins, soy proteins not only have higher nutritional value but also contain no cholesterol. What’s more, their unique physiologically active substance, called isoflavones, can lower cholesterol too. And the follows are the most common recipes for your reference.

1) Fermented soybean steaming crucian carp
Ingredients: Fermented soybeans 30g, crucian carp 200g, and sugar 30g
Health benefits: clearing heat and removing toxicity and inducing diuresis and reducing edema
Directions: 1. Wash, scale and eviscerate the fish, put it into a steaming tray, and then sprinkle the fish with cooking wine and all the rest ingredients. 2. Steam the fish for 20 minutes on high heat.

2) Fermented soybean eggplant
Ingredients: 2 eggplant, basil 20g, pepper 10g, ginger 10g, sunflower oil 1 tablespoon, fermented soybeans 20g, granulated sugar 1/2 bouillon spoon, a little salt, and a little bit MSG.

Directions: 1. Wash the basil and pick the young leaves. Clean and slice the pepper and ginger. And then set them aside. 2. Wash eggplant, remove both ends and cut them into sections. Heat the oil to the temperature at about 160 ℃, put in eggplant to fry till slightly softened, and then set the fried eggplant aside. 3. Heat the pan and pour in sunflower oil, put in and stir-fry the ingredients, one at a time, of ginger, fermented soy bean, pepper, and eggplant. 4. Put in all the seasoning and appropriate amount of water and then stir.

Fermented Soy

POPULAR FERMENTED SOYBEANS HERBAL FORMULAS 
From the perspective of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), it is viewed as bitter, acrid, and cool in properties. And it covers lung and stomach meridians. Its primary function is to relieve exterior syndrome and restlessness and disperse stagnated heat. Main fermented soy uses and indications include colds, chills and fever, Headache, irritability, chest tightness, and trouble sleeping. Usual decoction dosage is from 6 to 12 grams.

Yin Qiao San
Yin Qiao San comes from Wen Bing Tiao Bian (Systematic Differentiation of Warm Disease). This formula is mainly formulated for wind-heat type common cold or early stage in epidemic febrile disease, manifesting as fever, slight aversion to wind and cold, headache, thirst, sore throat, and so on. The rest major herbal ingredients are Jin Yin Hua (Honeysuckle Flower), Lian Qiao (Forsythia), Bo He (Field Mint), and Niu Bang Zi (Burdock).

Cong Chi Tang
Cong Chi Tang comes from Bu Que Zhou Hou Fang (Handbook of Prescriptions for Emergencies). This prescription is primarily made for the beginning of common cold due to wind-cold, including symptoms like chills, fever, no sweat, headache, nasal congestion, and so on. As its name suggested, the other herb is Cong Bai (Green onion).