The soybean is becoming ubiquitous. Despite being a native of East Asia, did you know that the US is its primary producer, growing 32% of the world's supply? Farmed in China for over 5,000 years, this unassuming little green bean (oilseed, technically), has become a powerhouse of nutrition, packing more protein punch than any other vegetable and giving rise to such vegetarian favorites as tofu, tempeh, soy sauce, miso and soy milk. It's a major component of animal feed, and it's popularity is only on the rise. So what should you know about the soy bean, what facts should you arm yourself with?