subject: America Finally Discovers Soy! [print this page] It took hundreds of years for America to discover the economics and health benefits of soy. Soymilk and tofu have been a major high protein source in China, and throughout Asia, for thousands of years, but somehow, the West did not catch on. In fact, it wasn't until 1917 that the
first commercial soy was produced in New York, and it still didn't find better acceptance for yet another half century.
Soymilk and tofu seeped into the U.S. published articles about the cost effectiveness and many health benefits from British medical journals were helpful. But, no matter what information came available, soy didn't get well recognized in the U.S. until the 1960s and even more so in the 1980s. Even then, however, menus with soy were limited. The unflavored, natural, beany taste of soymilk took getting used to, and the blandness of tofu that was arbitrarily stirred into anything was just too odd for most Americans.
Reticence for soy in America from the 1950s to the 1990s now seems obvious. Our country was turned into a high speed and convenience oriented society as commercial and financial success and national industrial development put cars in every driveway and motels along the new highways. Along with TV came TV dinners. Grocery stores were filled with ready to serve canned and packaged foods with enough preservatives to last forever. Fast food drive-ins popped up like mushrooms serving easily affordable fried beef and cheese and rich milkshakes. We were in heaven. Life was good.
During those years, however, who ever heard of cholesterol, LDL, HDL or even heart disease and what caused it. Did anyone know what a prostate was? What on earth is polyunsaturated fat? Does eating too much sugar out of the sugar bowl give you sugar diabetes? And how about the dangerous sound of putting "fiber" in one's diet! Yeah, I'll keep on eating that "healthy" and hardy pile of potatoes with meat and gravy, butter and bread. How about some ice cream and pie for dessert? Mmmm!
Well, those days have mostly past and knowledge and health awareness has entered the arena. Every food product today has content labels on them ... and people READ them! Chemicals are out and natural is in. Not until now has soy become so widely accepted and requested. Today, soymilk and soy products really step up to the plate by meeting the needs and demands of a well informed, health oriented, modern society. Naturally healthy and nutritious food products that boast some content of soy are now on the shelves of every grocery store across the country. Soymilk is sold in various flavors and is packaged just like ordinary dairy milk. In fact, high tech soymilk makers are now produced and available for quick, easy and economical use in every kitchen on the street. The general public has discovered the huge array of soy's natural health benefits and the many cookbooks filled with yummy recipes made with soy. Better understanding and appreciation has made soy increasingly popular. Yes! Soy has finally found a home in America. Ahhh, soymilk! Drink to your health!
