What is Adzuki Bean?

Vigna angularis (Willd.) Ohwi & H. Ohashi

Also known as Aduki Bean or Azuki Bean

Adzuki beans  are small round reddish brown to wine red beans that are popular in Japan, China, Taiwan, and Korea.

The red beans are common but white, black, grey and variously mottled varieties are also known.

Adzuki beans have been cultivated in N. Korea, China and Japan since ancient times but their exact origin is unknown. Wild types occur in Nepal, south eastern China, and Japan. Currently, they are grown in many countries worldwide.

They have a soft texture and a slightly sweet flavour, and  are available dried or processed, in the form of red bean paste.

Red bean paste consists of mashed red bean, shortening and sugar. It is used to make desserts.

Nutrition of Adzuki Beans

Adzuki beans are good source of protein, iron, magnesium, calcium, zinc and B-group vitamins. They have almost no fat.

Culinary Use of Adzuki Beans

Dried beans are eaten, cooked, whole or ground into flour for use in soups, cakes, confectionary and ice-cream.

The beans have a light, nutty, slightly sweet flavour and are often made into candied bean cake which is served as a dessert with green tea.

They can be cooked with rice or other mild flavoured grains to impart a pink colour to the dish.

The beans may be popped like corn  and used as a coffee substitute or eaten candied.

Immature beans and sprouted beans are eaten as a vegetable.

Other uses

Adzuki flour is used as an ingredient in shampoos, facial creams and culture media.

The beans are reported to be used in China to treat several conditions like kidney problems constipation, just to mention a few.

The beans are also grown for forage,  as green manure and for soil conservation.

A summary of the edible Vigna species

1. Vigna radiata (L.) R. Wilczek. also known as Mung Bean, Moong Bean, Green Gram, Golden Gram, Haricot mungo, Mungo, haricot doré
2. Vigna mungo (L.) Hepper also known as black gram, urad bean, minapa pappu, mungo bean or black matpe bean. V.mungo and V. radiata are very closely related.
3. Vigna umbellata (Thunb.) Ohwi & H.Ohashi also known as rice bean.
4. Vigna aconitifolia (Jacq.) Maréchal. It is commonly called mat bean, moth bean, matki, Turkish gram or dew bean.
5. Vigna angularis (Willd.) Ohwi & H. Ohashi : Adzuki bean, Aduki Bean or Azuki Bean
6. Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp. Also known as: Black Eyed Pea, Cowpea, Pea Bean, Black Eyed-Bean, China Pea, Bombay Cowpea. Southern Peas, Black eye Peas, Crowder Peas, California blackeyed pea. Also includes the yardlong beans.

myfavouritepastime.com Last Updated: 27 July, 2018