Phaseolus Angularis

Other names: adzuki beans, Vigna angularis

Phaseolus angularis, often called adzuki beans or Vigna angularis, is a perennial, short-lived plant that belongs to the bean family. This plant is native to East Asia and is considered one of the most important bean plants in Japan and Korea. Adzuki beans are known for their distinctive red colour and sweet taste and can be distinguished by their size, which is smaller than ordinary beans.

Adzuki beans are very popular in Asia, where they are used to make various products. Their unique sweet taste and high protein and fibre content make them an ideal base for making sweet pastes and fillings, dishes that are very popular in Japanese and Korean cuisine. They are also used to make popular Japanese desserts such as dorayaki (sweet pancakes with adzuki filling) and daifuku (rice dumplings with adzuki filling). In Korea, adzuki is made into Patbingsu, which is a traditional ice delicacy. They can also be eaten on their own as a classic kitchen ingredient in bean dishes. In addition, they can be dried and stored for later use or made into various types of flour. Adzuki beans are also the main ingredient in some types of tea, which is popular for its supposed detoxifying effects.