The swing to healthy eating and living has also opened up new ways to process and enjoy our food. Most vegans will consume some form of Nut Milk – Almond, Cashew, Soya, Oat or even Rice milks are popular cow’s milk alternatives.
“Then one realises that the prices of these alternative milks can be rather high with most over R30.00 per litre,” says long time Vegan, Alan Straton.
So, of course, the market for home based alternative milk appliances is now experiencing a bit of a surge. Items such as stone ground oats, cashews, rice and almonds are readily available in most supermarkets but soya beans do not appear to be so readily available.
Soybeans are produced throughout South Africa, but significant production takes place in the Free State and Mpumalanga provinces. South African soybean production has always varied throughout the years, but mostly above the domestic demand.
Here are some options for buying Soya Beans for home use in South Africa:
Supermarkets and Grocery Stores:
Most major supermarkets like Pick n Pay, Woolworths, Checkers, and Spar typically stock Soya Beans in their dry goods aisles. Look for them near lentils, beans, and other pulses.
These stores usually offer pre-packaged Soya Beans, ranging in size from 500g to 1kg.
Health Food Stores:
Specialized health food stores like Faithful to Nature, Wellness Warehouse, or Earth Foods might offer a wider variety of Soya Beans, including organic options, different bean sizes, and potentially sprouted or roasted varieties.
They might also offer bulk options, allowing you to purchase larger quantities at a potentially lower price per kilogram.
Online Retailers:
Several online retailers in South Africa sell Soya Beans, including:
When purchasing online, consider factors like delivery fees, minimum order requirements, and product variety.
Farmers Markets and Local Stores:
Farmers markets or local independent stores may offer locally sourced Soya Beans, sometimes at competitive prices.
Visiting such stores allows you to support local farmers and potentially find unique varieties not readily available in larger retailers.
Additional Tips:
Consider buying in bulk if you use Soya Beans frequently, as this can be more cost-effective in the long run.
Soya Beans are generally quite affordable, with prices usually falling within a range of R15-R35 per kilogram, depending on the source and type.
Look for “dry” Soya Beans, as they have the longest shelf life. You’ll need to soak them before using them in most recipes.
Remember, this information is not exhaustive, and availability and specific options might vary depending on your location and preferences. Feel free to explore various options and choose the one that best suits your requirements.
And, if you want to GROW YOUR OWN Soybean Crop:
Soy beans are indigenous to Manchuria, China. The crop is considered one of the five oldest cultivated crops and was utilised by the Chinese as a source of food before 2500 BC. However, it was only discovered by the Western world as a source of oil and protein in the 19th century. In the past 35 years, world production of soy beans increased to more than 100 million metric tons. Of this, 51% is produced in the US, 20% in Brazil, 10% in Argentina and 10% in China. The first report of soy beans in South Africa is believed to be in the Cedara Memoirs of 1903.
Places to Purchase for Home/Small Farm use:
SA Growing Areas: Mpumalanga; Free State; KwaZulu-Natal; Limpopo; North West and Gauteng.
Climatic requirements:
Temperature: Temperature plays an important role in determining the rate at which soy beans grow. Yields are adversely af- fected as temperature rise above 30 oC, while tempera- tures below 13 oC for long periods during the flowering stage inhibit flower and seed formation. Although 25 C can be considered the overall optimum temperature for all growth stages, the response differs from various growth stages. At planting time, soil temperature must preferably be in the region of 15 C in order to stimulate germination.
Rainfall: Rainfall of 500 to900 mm is required for better yields and seed quality, depending on growth conditions. Excessive rainfall prior to and during flowering can result in luxuriant growth and increased lodging. Waterlogged conditions have a negative effect on the crop yield.
Soil requirements: Deep, well-drained, highly-fertile soil with a fine but firm seedbed and has a good water-holding capacity that is needed for high soy bean yields. Soy beans are generally better adapted to heavier soils and better able to utilize water at lower soil depths than most other crops, includ- ing maize. Soy beans are better adapted to moist soils with a lower pH than other legume crops, but a pH lower than 5,2 impedes nitrogen fixation; optimum pH ranges from 6 and 6,5. Compacted soils should be avoided because the hypocotyl of the soy bean breaks easily during emergence if under pressure.
Production practices:
Soil preparation: Soil preparation for soy beans must be done thoroughly to ensure a deep, loose seedbed. However, unnecessary tillage should be avoided because, apart from being cost- ly in terms of labour and money, every time soil is loosened, there will be a loss of moisture and soil structure, hence the conservation tillage practices are highly recommended. Large clods, furrows or ridges must be avoided in order to ease planting operation and ensure a good plant stand.
Planting: Planting from early to mid-November is the most appro- priate date for optimum soy bean production in South Africa. Seed should be planted at a soil depth of 3 to 5 cm, depending on the soil texture, and it emerges within five to seven days after planting. The spacing between the rows can range from 40 to 90cm and from 5 to 15cm between the plants. The spacing can also be determined by the method of irrigation or water availability. A population of 250 000 to 400 000 plants per hectare is recommended, depending on the yield potential of the area and its weather conditions. Good seed-to-soil contact must be ensured to enhance germination.
Irrigation: The method of irrigation will be determined by water avail- ability, soil type, type of cultivar and the type of irrigation equipment available. The best methods used for soya bean irrigation are the sprinkler and drip irrigation systems. Most soy beans are rain-fed grown, the main factor limiting irrigation being profitability. Soy beans are sensitive to a water shortage during the pod set stage.
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Alan Straton
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