Azuki Beans
Ingredient Name: Red Beans, Azuki Beans (also spelled Adzuki Beans)
Traditional Chinese Name: 赤小豆 (chì xiǎo dòu)
What is this?
- A small, rounded bean that is roughly 5mm in size and is sweet to the taste
- It is commonly found in East Asia and consumed by Chinese, Japanese and other Asians
- Variations of the bean come in white, black, gray and brown
- In Chinese cuisine, it is often eaten sweetend (red bean soup, red bean paste etc)
How do I prepare it?
- Rinse in cold water before usage
- For some soups and desserts, you’ll need to soak the beans for 1-2 hours prior to usage
- Add directly to soups
Where can I buy this?
- You can purchase azuki beans from most Asian supermarkets prepackaged
- You can also purchase this in bulk from speciality stores
What is the cost?
- A package should cost under $3-5 CAD
Any benefits?
- Excellent source of magnesium, potassium, iron, zinc copper, manganese, and Vitamin B
- Azuki beans are ideal for lower blood pressure and act as a natural diuretic
- They provide an excellent source of protein and are rich in soluble fibre
- They are also known to be cholesterol reducing
Any precautions?
- Since beans are high in protein, people who have gout should be weary in their consumption volume
Additional Information?
- Beans store very well in dry conditions and can keep for up to 6 months
- These beans are versitile in their usage
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