Mao dou, or edamame, refers to immature and green soybean pods that are consumed as vegetables. The name "毛豆" (literally "hairy bean") comes from the fact that 80% of the fresh pods are plump and green, covered with fine hairs. It is also known as "vegetable soybean." In Japan, it is called "枝豆" (edamame), and in English, it is referred to as "vegetable soybean," "green soybean," or simply "edamame" or "edamame bean."