Azuki bean

Adzuki Bean ( Vigna angularis)

The Adzuki Bean ( Vigna angularis) (from Japanese小豆, Azuki ) is part of a plant species in the subfamily of the Fabaceae ( Faboideae ) within the legume family ( Fabaceae, Leguminosae). This crop is closely related to a number of other " beans " called crops such as mung bean, from which the so-called bean sprouts are produced.

The adzuki bean is cultivated in China, Korea and Japan for thousands of years and is now widespread throughout Southeast Asia. It grows best in the subtropics.

Description

The Adzuki Bean is shrub-like and reaches stature heights of 30 to 90 cm. It forms about 10 cm long legumes, with small, pea-sized, slightly oval seeds of dark red, sometimes yellow or brown color.

Use

One can use the fresh sleeves fresh beans or dried beans. The beans are easier to digest than the common garden bean in Europe.

The adzuki bean has about 20 % ( by dry weight) of a relatively high protein content.

From adzuki beans Anko is made, a bean paste that is used in Japanese cuisine. They are also sold under the name " Aduki " as bean sprouts. The beans are also consumed in the form of soup as a dessert with names Shiruko or further processed into Yokan.