The similar shape between Edamame vs Snow peas usually confuses people; someone even doesn’t know they are two different types.
Confusion is understandable if you are not a regular cook or are inexperienced in food selection.
Based on my knowledge and experience in cooking, I’m here to help you. Not only distinguish them, but you also know more about their nutrition, food uses, and all the interesting information.
Let’s get started!
About Snow Peas & Edamame
Snow Peas
The Snow peas pods have a straight, flat, oblong shape with tapered, pointy ends and are typically 5 to 8 cm long.
The pods are smooth, malleable, and thin, revealing the outline of the little peas growing inside, and they are linked to the stem by remnants of the green calyx.
These peas are tiny, flattened, round to oval, and can be found inside yellow-green to bright green pods in groups of up to seven.
The fibrous string that runs the length of the pod should be peeled and eliminated before consumption.
Edamame
Edamame beans are actually soybeans but come from immature or unripe pods. Unlike conventional soybeans, which are typically tan, light brown, or beige, they have a green color.
This delicious, healthy legume makes a great low-calorie snack choice. Edamame is primarily consumed as a snack in Western and Asian nations alike.
So are Snow peas the same as Edamame? No, they aren’t.
Edamame Vs Snow Peas: What Are The Differences?
Both the snow pea and the Edamame have bright green seed pods that look alike, but the Edamame beans are fluffier. They also differ in origin, flavor, nutrition as well as food uses.
The Origin
Snow peas vs. Edamame have different histories and origins.
Since snow pea cultivation began in antiquity, nothing is known about the peas’ past. Experts suggest the Middle East, the Mediterranean, or Central Asia as potential origin regions.
Through trading channels, Snow peas were dispersed throughout Europe and Asia.
Snow peas, similar to sugar snap peas, were widely grown and used as a common culinary component in Japan throughout the Edo period, from 1603 to 1868.
Snow peas were also brought to the New World through migration and quickly became a popular garden produce.
Though it is often believed that soybeans originated in China, where they have been grown for millennia, new research suggests that they may have domesticated elsewhere in East Asia, including Northern China, Japan, and Korea, with some evidence suggesting as far back as 5,500 years ago.
According to Washington State University academics, the first documented mention of Edamame (of legume family), about 200 BCE, comes from China; the beans were reportedly used medicinally.
Edamame is said to have been introduced to Japan by the Chinese, where it has since flourished.
Growing Basics
As a cool-weather crop, Snow peas thrive on soil that is between 50 and 55 degrees Fahrenheit. Give the plants sandy soil that drains well and is rich in organic matter.
Additionally, they require regular watering and protection from the sun’s intense heat. Within 60 days, some pods might be ready for harvest.
Peas are often planted in the early spring, though warmer areas allow for October planting. In the sweltering summer, the plants struggle.
Edamame plants also need rich, well-draining soil, but the temp should be more generous than 60 degrees Fahrenheit, preferably 65.
The plants can withstand direct sunlight and require summer heat to yield beans. While some early Edamame pod cultivars can be ready in as little as 65 days, others can take up to 85.
These are the key differences between Edamame and Snow peas.
Moisture And Drainage
Snow peas and Edamame have problems with soil moisture and drainage, although their needs differ. Either plant may decay in the soil if there is standing water nearby.
Mature Edamame plants should only be watered when the soil is dry, and Snow peas cannot tolerate dry soil.
Both legumes flourish at their best when moisture is constantly provided and drainage is great. Schedule routine irrigations and closely monitor the soil’s moisture levels.
Harvesting And Storage
The harvest season of fresh Edamame and Snow peas is one thing they have in common.
When snow pea pods are fully grown, they can hang on the vine for two to three days before they wither or turn limp.
Because beans become mushy and starchy when they reach full maturity, Edamame is less forgiving.
Slice open a pod if it appears to be 80 to 90 percent full, and try biting into a raw bean to feel the texture.
Nutrition
When comparing the nutritional value of Edamame and Snow peas (100g each), you can see that:
- Snow peas and Edamame are both rich sources of potassium and dietary fiber.
- Iron and protein content are both found in abundance in Edamame.
- Fresh Edamame is a fantastic calcium food.
- Snow pea has more niacin, whereas Edamame has more folate and pantothenic acid.
- Snow peas are an excellent source of vitamin C.
Food Uses
Although they won’t vary in taste, many people only like one of the two.
Fresh or frozen Edamame is frequently served in the pod after being boiled, but those pods are not edible. Thus, the immature seeds should be removed from their “shelter” before they are consumed.
The entire snow pea pod is edible because it lacks the fibers that make the pods of other garden peas difficult to digest.
The peas inside the immature pods are frequently undeveloped and delicate because they are typically harvested at a young stage.
Pets And Diseases
Insects are rarely a problem with peas, and Edamame peas seem insect-free.
Diseases that might result in wilting leaves and subpar yield are typically brought on by poor drainage or extended, moist cold spells.
Sometimes, you might find some white spots like on green bean leaves. In a home garden, Edamame and Snow peas are generally pest-free.
FAQs
Are Snap Pea And Snow Pea The Same?
The answer is no.
Snap peas and Snow peas both have edible, entire pods. Their green hue and curved form resemble one another, yet there are important variations between them in terms of flavor and texture.
Their levels of sweetness are what primarily distinguishes them in terms of taste. The sweet pea, known as the snow pea, is crisp and somewhat delicate.
Still, sugar snap and Snow peas can easily be substituted for each other in various recipes and meals.
So are snap peas and Edamame the same? The answer is still No.
Is Edamame Bean Or Pea?
Is Edamame a pea? No, Edamame is a bean and a legume.
Can Edamame Replace Snow Pea?
Yes, you might also give Edamame a shot. Besides, you could use green beans, pinto beans, Brussels sprouts, or broccoli as alternatives to Snow peas.
The ideal substitute will ultimately depend on the meal you create.
Final Verdicts
As you can conclude from this Edamame vs. Snow peas showcase, they are not the same. Many differences in their origins, tastes, nutrition, etc., can help you to distinguish them.
However, if you don’t have Snow peas at home, Edamame can be a great alternative, and vice versa, so depending on the meal you create, choose the most suitable ingredient!
