You can't eat them. What a mistake. Not only are soybeans edible, but they are one of nature's supremely nutritious delights. High in protein, low in fat, and supportive of natural hormone balance, anticancer and anti-aging programmes, soybeans are also inexpensive. China, Japan, and Korea have known these facts for years.
Soy there is a staple of the diet for both rich and poor.
Today, soy and soy products are becoming more widely available in Western markets. If you think that the insipid, packaged blocks of tofu in your local supermarket or the strange flavored thin liquids sold in expensive small rectangular cartons at your health food store are representative of what the Asians thrive on every day, have cheer. Those products are mediocre at best. Fresh soy is delicious, and generally found only in small Asian food markets. Soy milk, the base for making tofu, comes fresh and cool in 2-quart plastic 'milk' containers.