Is Nattou safe to eat when it has white dots on it?
I bought a couple packs of Nattou (fermented soybeans) and stored it in my refrigerator.
They come sealed in plastic, so I opened the plastic and only ate about half of one container. I wrapped it back up in plastic and stored it in the fridge again, and the next day I checked the Nattou and it was covered in tiny white dots, which look kind of foreboding.
It did not look like mold, though, since the white dots were uniformly the same size and spread out evenly. In my experience fungi usually grows at random, and in different sizes, and usually larger than the tiny white dots that I see on the nattou.
What are those dots and is it still edible?
I threw it away without trying it to be on the safe side, but I did notice this experiment is repeatable (I got white dots on the next package by doing the same thing the next day).
I think it might have something to do with storing it in the fridge, since I have stored Nattou in the freezer before without the white dot results.
Best Answer
Yes, those spots are normal, they form as the nattou ages. They are amino acid crystals, and they are perfectly safe. Here's a picture.
They're a bit crunchy, which you may or may not like. If you don't like the dots, get young nattou and consume it before the crystals form. If you do like them, get more mature nattou. With younger nattou, you should be able to store it opened in the fridge for a few days before the crystals start to form. As you have experienced though, once they start, they grow quickly.
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Quick Answer about "Is Nattou safe to eat when it has white dots on it?"
Also, as the NATTO ages, white specks will form—these are amino acid crystals that have formed on the beans, and are completely safe to eat. They have a certain crunch to it, so if that is not something you enjoy, you may want to consume the NATTO before that occurs.Can natto spoil?
Natto can be stored for several months in the refrigerator. Press a piece of cheesecloth or unbleached parchment paper over the surface to retain moisture; store in an airtight container. The longer it is stored, the more pronounced the flavor will become. Natto may also be stored in the freezer.How long will natto keep in the fridge?
Do I need to refrigerate my natto? Yes, refrigeration keeps your natto from over-ripening or developing off flavors, and helps keep your jars safe after opening. How long will New York Natto jars keep in the refrigerator? When you receive your jars, you'll see a "Best By" of 6-7 weeks.How long can you keep natto in the freezer?
Freeze freshly bought natto in the freezer (It will keep this way for about a month). When you want to eat it Remove the mustard from the styrofoam tray, and heat the natto in the microwave for 40 seconds (500 W). Or defrost it in the fridge overnight.Is fermented soybean good for health?
Apart from these lipid-lowering effects, fermented soy products also proved to be effective in attenuating the effects of diabetes mellitus, blood pressure, cardiac disorders and cancer-related issues.You'll Get Addicted in One Bite?! The Correct Way to Eat Natto
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