How soybeans took over the American diet – without anyone noticing

Soybeans were not originally a major crop in the United States.

They were first brought to North America in 1764 by an English sailor named Samuel Bowen, who had collected them in China.

Initially, soybeans were treated as a curiosity and used only for small-scale experiments, such as producing soy sauce.

However, their role changed dramatically around 1900 when U.S.

Department of Agriculture researchers, including Charles Piper and William Morse, began studying and distributing soybean varieties from China.

They identified traits that made soybeans suitable for cultivation in the U.S., leading to increased farming.

By 2026, U.S.

farmers are projected to produce a record 4.52 billion bushels of soybeans, which translates to roughly 800 pounds of soybeans for every American, even though most people do not realize they are consuming soy products.