VegetableBean
Biei Soybean
Biei Soybean is a mid-maturing, high-yielding variety from Asia that matures in just 70 to 79 days, making it one of the earliest soybeans you can grow. Named for its distinctive green seed coat and notably large seeds, this open-pollinated cultivar produces abundant pods that frequently contain three seeds each, delivering impressive harvests from a compact 24 to 36 inch plant. Hardy in zones 3 through 9, it thrives in full sun with moderate watering and adapts well to containers, raised beds, and garden plots, bringing reliable protein-rich nutrition to northern and southern gardens alike.
Photo © True Leaf Market
Growing Conditions
USDA Zone
3-9
Sunlight
Full Sun
Water
Moderate
Soil
Well-drained, Fertile Loam; Prefers Neutral To Slightly Alkaline
Growth Stats
36 in
Height
TypeUpright
Spacing
8
Plant Profile
Sunlight
Full Sun
Water
Moderate
Zones
3-9
Size
36in H x ?in W
Growth
—
Care
Moderate
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Highlights
Biei stands out for combining the generous yields and large seeds typical of Asian soybeans with a surprisingly early maturity for the species. Its vigorous upright growth and tendency to pack three seeds into each pod means you'll get substantial harvests from modest space, while the green seed coat and size make it visually distinctive at harvest time. The high protein content and long history as an Asian staple food source reflect what generations of gardeners have valued in this variety.
Common Uses
Biei soybeans serve multiple purposes in the kitchen. You can harvest them young as tender green pods (edamame), shell and eat the fresh beans as a protein-rich vegetable, or allow them to mature fully and dry for storage, grinding into flour or cooking as dried legumes in traditional Asian soups and stews. The large seed size makes them particularly satisfying to shell and eat fresh, and the high protein content makes them valuable for vegetarian and vegan cooking.
Growing Timeline
No timeline data available yet for this variety.
Care Instructions
Direct Sow
Direct sow seeds outdoors after the last spring frost when soil temperature reaches 60 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit. Plant seeds 1 to 1.5 inches deep, spacing them 8 inches apart in rows 24 inches apart. Soybeans germinate quickly in warm soil and grow best when seeded directly where they will mature.
Harvesting
For fresh green beans (edamame), harvest pods when they are plump and green, typically 60 to 70 days after planting, before they begin to yellow. Simply snap or cut pods from the plant and steam or boil them fresh. For dried soybeans, allow pods to mature fully on the plant, turning from green to brown; harvest when the plants brown and pods rattle when shaken, then shell the beans and dry them completely before storage. The large seed size of Biei makes shelling easier than many soybean varieties.
Growing Calendar
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Companion Planting
Pests & Diseases
Ecology & Traits
Edible
Scientific Classification
Glycine max
Family
Fabaceae
Genus
Glycine
Growth Habit
Upright
Native Status
L48 (I)PR (I)CAN (W)
History & Origin
“Biei Soybean emerges from Asia's agricultural heritage, where soybeans have anchored diets and farming systems for centuries. This variety carries forward that legacy as a non-GMO, open-pollinated cultivar, preserving the seed-saving tradition that allows gardeners to grow their own beans year after year and maintain genetic diversity in home gardens.”