Know your Azuki bean

Know your Azuki bean - Introduction

• The azuki bean (アズキ, formerly spelled adzuki or aduki) is an annual bean vine widely grown throughout East Asia and the Himalayas for its small (approximately 5 mm) bean.

• The cultivars most familiar in north-east Asia have a uniform red colour, but white, black, gray and variously mottled varieties are also known.

• Scientists presume Vigna angularis var. nipponensis is the progenitor.

• Sometimes called Chinese Red bean.

Know your Azuki bean - Origins

• Genetic evidence indicates that the azuki bean was first domesticated in the Himalayas.

• It was cultivated in China and Korea before 1000 BC.

• It was later taken to Japan, where it is now the second most popular legume after the soya bean.

Know your Azuki bean - Cuisine

• The Azuki bean is one of the few dried bean varieties that does not need soaking, so they don't require as much preparation time.

• They are small and have a slightly sweet flavour.

Know your Azuki bean - Uses

• These are the beans used to make red bean paste that's used extensively in East Asian cuisine.