AbstractEdamame has many nutritional and human health benefits and has the potential to overcome malnutrition, a common scourge among West African populations. This study aims to identify sensory preference criteria in order to select edamame varieties that meet the organoleptic needs of potential consumers in Benin. Ten soybean varieties were selected on the basis of their stability, adaptability, and yield performance in Benin. These varieties were evaluated by a hedonic test conducted with 200 untrained panelists, followed by a descriptive sensory evaluation conducted with 20 trained panelists identified and selected among the previous 2. The hedonic test used sensory attributes such as appearance, flavor, taste, and texture. The descriptive test characterized each sensory parameter using sensory descriptors such as seed size, green color, sweetness, aftertaste, starch, nuttiness, beaniness, and chewiness. The study showed significant variation in sensory attributes for most genotypes (p < .001), expressing the variation in choices made by panelists. With the exception of flavor, all other sensory parameters scored higher. Sensory preference criteria were large seed size, sweetness, moderate chewiness, and starchy texture. The genotypes AGS 466, AGS 472, and Ashorowase were the most preferred by more than 90% of the panelists. In contrast, the soybean varieties Maksoy 3N and Early Hakucho were the least preferred by less than 20% of the panelist. The grain type soybean variety S1079‐6‐7, which showed moderate acceptability for edamame consumption among consumers in Benin may be considered by breeders for improvement of sensory attributes.Practical ApplicationsThis study revealed the sensory preference criteria of consumers in Benin for edamame. Such information is instrumental in the design of breeding programs for the crop. Also the findings of this study is useful for market segmentation. The panelists expressed high willingness to adopt edamame consumption. This is key, as it can it will inform decision of private companies, maket gardenning professionnals and ultimately can boost the edamame sector in Benin.