Based on available historical references, the first documented instance of soybeans being processed into soy oil dates back to the year 1061.
While soybeans themselves have a much longer history, believed to have been domesticated in northeast China as early as the 11th century BC, their initial uses were primarily as a direct food source.
Historical Context of Soybean Use
The journey of the soybean from a domesticated crop to a source of oil spans millennia.
- Early Domestication: Soybeans were first cultivated in northeast China around the 11th century BC.
- Primary Use: For a significant period, the main application of soybeans was for food consumption.
- Transition to Processing: The processing of soybeans to extract oil marked a significant step in their utilization.
The specific reference provided indicates that the earliest known record of soybeans being processed for oil comes from the year 1061. This date serves as a key marker in the history of soybean oil production.
Significance of Soybean Oil
The development of soybean oil processing expanded the utility of the soybean crop significantly, leading to its widespread use in cooking, industrial applications, and various products over subsequent centuries.
While the 1061 date represents the first reference to processing for oil, it's important to note that actual small-scale processing might have occurred earlier, but this is the earliest historical documentation cited.
