Southeast Asian cuisines have mastered the art of preparing soybeans; the fact that both tofu and soy sauce are made from the same source is pretty remarkable. These days, Westerners don’t bat an eye at these foods. But there are some soybean products out there that may give some of us pause. One of these foods: natto. What is natto? We’ve got all the sticky, stringy intel here.
What is natto?
Natto is a traditional Japanese food made from fermented soybeans. It’s not uncommon to ferment soybeans; miso paste is a frequently used, fermented soybean product that appears in tons of Japanese foods. Natto, however, tends to wear its fermentation on its sleeve.
The origins of natto date all the way back to ancient Japan and is thought to be influenced by a similar Chinese food called douchi, made from fermented black soybeans.
What is natto made of?
After soybeans are steamed to soften them up, they are given a healthy dose of Bacillus subtilis, a bacteria that kicks off the fermentation process. Kept in a high temperature for about a day, the bacteria gets to work on the beans. One of the byproducts of this process is the creation of a polyglutamic acid, a sticky, stringy film. Ultimately, this makes natto look like baked beans covered in slime.
What does natto taste like?
Confession: I’ve never tried natto. I have had miso and other fermented foods like kimchi and sauerkraut. And one thing I can say for sure is that fermented foods are not bringing neutral flavors to the table.
The internet seems split on the taste of natto. Some call it a mild bitterness, others say it’s a bit cheesy, like cottage cheese. One source who recently tasted natto for the first time described it as initially nutty followed by a sharp funk—almost like extremely ripe blue cheese. One thing everyone can agree on: Natto is unique. But it’s the smell that really turns people off.
What does natto smell like?
Pungent. Funky. Old. Stinky. Putrid. Ammonia-like. These are just a few descriptors people have used to describe natto’s smell. Some compared it to week-old socks, soured Brie cheese, or a bucket of mop water. It seems that natto rivals the durian fruit in the stink department.
The taste, the smell, and the slimy texture all combine to make natto a very controversial, polarizing food, one that I am now dying to try. It feels like it would be a badge of honor.
How do you eat natto?
In Japan, natto is traditionally a breakfast food, served cold over a pile of white rice. It is sometimes served as an accoutrement to sushi, salad, and noodle dishes.
Often, the natto flavor is enhanced—or masked—with a dash of soy sauce, karashi mustard, and onion. These inclusions might be a good choice for natto beginners like myself.
Is natto vegan?
Vegans, pull up a seat. Natto is fully vegan. Just make sure to wear a bib so you don’t get slime on your shirt.
After reading about “eating” Natto, it sounds awful. Is there a capsule or pill form available, & if so, what brand is the best choice?