Asian food crop returns earned before twelve Eastern (7)

I believe the answer is:

edamame

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'asian food crop' is the definition.
The definition suggests a singular noun which matches the answer.

'returns earned before twelve eastern' is the wordplay.
'returns' says the letters should be written in reverse.
'earned' becomes 'made' ('make' can be a synonym of 'earn').
'before twelve' becomes 'am' (I can't explain this - if you can you should believe this answer much more).
'eastern' becomes 'e'.
'made' backwards is 'edam'.
'edam'+'am'+'e'='EDAMAME'

Can you help me to learn more?

(Another definition for edamame that I've seen is " type of bean".)

I've seen this clue in The Telegraph.

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