Yes, edamame beans are young (immature) soybeans. They are soybeans that have been harvested when they are tender and still green. Edamame are often sold frozen in pods, but they are also available shelled (removed from the pods). To prepare edamame for eating, they are usually quickly boiled or steamed for less than 5 minutes. Soybeans that are left to ripen turn into hard dry beans, usually yellow in color. To prepare mature soybeans for eating, they are usually boiled for many hours and sometimes fermented.