Beans meanz cooked

In Rekha’s feature (Fresh from the plot, August issue) she gives a way to enjoy raw edamame beans and gives a recipe for edamame hummus. All the articles I have read, however, state that edamame should not be eaten uncooked as, like many beans, it contains a toxin that is destroyed on cooking. Eating them raw can make you ill.

Andrew Groves, Worthing

We say: In last month’s issue we used raw beans in our edamame hummus – this was an error. Legumes, like edamame should be cooked before eating, and failing to do this may cause short-term digestive upset (and possible long-term health issues, if eaten raw regularly). Steam or boil the beans for several minutes before blending to make your hummus.