Glycine max, commonly known as soybeans in North America or soybeans, is a legume species native to East Asia, widely cultivated for its edible beans that has numerous uses.
Nonfat (nonfat) soybean meal is a significant and inexpensive source of protein for animal feed and many packaged foods. For example, soy products, such as textured vegetable protein (DVT), are ingredients in many meats and milk substitutes. Beans contain significant amounts of phytic acid, dietary minerals and B-complex vitamins. Soybean oil, used in foods and industries, is another product of soybean processing. Unfermented traditional uses of soy include soy milk from which tofu skin and tofu are made. The main soybean producing countries are the United States (32% of the world total, forecast 2016), Brazil (31%) and Argentina (18%).