Adzuki bean, Haricot adzuki
Vigna angularis

Family: Fabaceae

What it is like

An erect bushy bean plant. They are plants which re-grow from seed each year. Plants grow up to 60 cm tall. The flowers occur as clusters of bright yellow flowers. The fruit are pods 6-12 cm long. These contain up to 12 small oblong seeds. These can vary between red, brown and black. They are 0.5 cm long. There are several named cultivated varieties.

Seeds are about 25% protein. There are about 150 Vigna species. They are mostly in the tropics.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. They cannot stand frost but can tolerate some cold. They are short day plants forming flowers and pods when daylengths or hours of sunlight are getting shorter.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Argentina, Asia, Australia, Canada, Central Africa, Chile, China, Congo DR, Cuba, East Africa, Georgia, Himalayas, India, Indochina, Japan, Kenya, Korea, Madagascar, Malaysia, Manchuria, Nepal, New Zealand, North America, Pacific, Philippines, SE Asia, Serbia, Seychelles, Solomon Islands, Taiwan, Tasmania, Timor-Leste, USA, Vietnam, West Indies

How it is used for food

The young pods are eaten cooked. The seeds can be eaten cooked. They are added to soups, stews and salads. They are boiled, mashed and sweetened. The seeds are germinated for sprouts. They can be popped liked corn or used as a coffee substitute.

It is a commercially cultivated vegetable. Important in Japan and China.

Edible parts

Pods, seeds, vegetable

How it is grown

Seed can be pre-germinated on wet paper to get it growing more quickly. The soil temperature needs to be above 15°C. A spacing of 15 cm is suitable.

For green pods, these should be picked regularly. For dry beans, plants can be allowed to go to maturity, then pulled up and dried.

Its other names

Local names

Adzukibohne, Azuki, Chi dou, Chinese red bean, Fagiolo adzuki, Feijao adzuki, Frijol adzuki, Guruns, Haricot anguleux, Hong xiao dou, Pat, Sak'adrisa

Synonyms

Azukia angularis (Willd.) Ohwi; Dolichos angularis Willd.; Phaseolus angularis (Willd.) W. Wight; Phaseolus chrysanthos Savi;