Finding natto in grocery store is not an easy task especially if you are in a hurry. Luckily, this article highlights a list of possible sections and aisles where natto is usually kept in grocery store. For convenience purposes, the article also has a list of grocery stores that usually sell natto so you can always buy from there.
Contents
What is natto?
Natto is a traditional Japanese dish that is made using fermented soybeans. This dish is characterised by being slimy and sticky and it has a stringy texture to it. Natto has a very pungent odour and a somehow nutty flavour. In Japan, natto is often served with cooked rice.
Which section or aisle to find natto in grocery store
The first place where you can find natto in grocery store is at the produce section. It will be placed close to tofu or other mock meats in this section.
If you do not find natto in the above stated area then the next place where you can find natto in grocery store is at the natural foods section. This is because natto is regarded as a natural food that is very healthy. It will be placed at the refrigerator section in this aisle.
The last place where you can find natto in grocery store is at the international aisle. It will be placed close to other Asian products in this section.
What grocery stores sell natto?
Amazon– on Amazon you can find different brands of natto which you can choose from. The advantage of buying on Amazon is that it is an online store, so you basically do everything from the comfort of your house.
Walmart– at Walmart you can find different brands of natto. If you are searching for a specific brand then simply check on their website. They usually display the brands that are available.
Target– you can find natto at the produce section at Target, it is usually placed close to tofu in this section.
Safeway– if there is a Safeway store in your area then you are going to find natto there, they usually have it in stock. You can also check which brands they have on their website.
Whole Foods market– natto can be found at Whole foods market, so you can always buy from there.
Albertsons– at Albertson they sell natto so you can always buy from there. If you are in need of a specific brand then simply check on their website to see which options are available.
Local health food store– there is a chance that you will find natto at your local health food store. This is because natto is regarded as a healthy food.
Asian markets– there is a high probability that you will find natto at Asian markets. This is because natto is mainly used in Japanese cooking.
Vons– natto is available at Vons so you can always buy from there.
How to use natto
Use natto when making salad
Natto is a wonderful ingredient to use when making salads. This is because it adds a lot of flavour as well as nutrients to the salad. When using natto for salads try to use it in a salad that contains root vegetables. These root vegetables will help to add more colour and texture to the salad.
Use natto when making soup
When making soup at home you can always use natto. When using natto in soup you can always add it a few minutes before serving the soup. This is because natto is already cooked. Therefore adding it a few minutes before serving the soup will just help to warm it up and also it will work as a bulking agent for the soup.
Use natto as a sauce or marinade
Natto can also be used as a sauce or marinade for your steaks, pork or even lamb. In order to use natto as a marinade simply mix it together with other ingredients like soy sauce, honey, ginger and other common barbeque sauce ingredients. You can also use the natto sauce on burgers. It will help to add a rich flavour to your burgers.
Nutrients and health benefits of natto
Improves digestion
The first health benefit of eating natto is that it helps to improve digestion. This is mainly because it contains probiotics that actually help with digestion and they also enable the body to absorb essential nutrients. So if you are having a hard time with digestion then try adding natto to your diet.
Contains vitamin K2
Natto contains vast amounts of vitamin K2 which is very hard to find in food. Vitamin K2 helps to improve bone health and density. Furthermore, it helps with the absorption of calcium in the body.
Improves heart health
The other health benefit of eating natto is that it helps to improve heart health. This is mainly because it contains fibre and probiotics which may help to reduce cholesterol levels in the body. Furthermore, natto contains an enzyme known as nattokinase which helps to dissolve and prevent blood clots in the body. This will in turn lead to good heart health. So if you are trying to live a healthy and sustainable lifestyle then natto is a good ingredient to add to your diet.
Help to reduce the risk of certain cancers
Natto can help to reduce the risk of you getting certain cancers. This is mainly because it contains soy isoflavones and vitamin K2. These two are believed to help reduce the risk of getting prostate, liver and well as breast cancer
How to store natto
Natto should be stored in the fridge or the freezer. If you intend on eating natto within 2 days then the fridge is the best option. However, if you intend on storing it for a longer period of time then the freezer is your best option.
Conclusion
Natto can be found in any one of the aisles stated above. It is important to note that some of the stores in this article have online stores. This means that you can easily check if natto is available in store before physically going there.
