The Adzuki Bean (Vigna angularis) has been grown in the Far East for centuries. Like the soybean, it most probably originated in China, and was introduced to Japan around 1000 AD. Today in Japan, Adzuki beans are one of the largest crops, with annual consumption of over 120,000 Metric Tons. The Adzuki Bean is not found in the wild. While vining beans are grown across South Asia (China, India, Taiwan and Thailand), bush or erect plant types are grown in both Northern Japan and the upper Midwest.Dry adzuki beans are small dark red, oval beans approximately 5 mm in diameter. They have a distinctive white ridge along one side. Adzuki beans are popular across Asia, particularly in Japan, and are used to make red sweet bean paste.
The Adzuki Bean, like other edible beans, is used directly as a food. In the Far East, where it is often known as the "Mercedes" of beans, it is pricipaly used, after fermentation, as a confectionery product. In North America and Europe it is valued for its relativly low cooking time (approx. 1 hour) as well as low fat and high protein and natural sugar nutirtional profile.
Basic Cooking Method: Soak 1/2 cup of beans overnight in ample water. Drain and simmer in 2 cups of water for 40 minutes to an hour. Alternatively, pressure cook the soaked beans in 2 cups of water for 5-9 minutes at high pressure. If you don't have time to soak the beans, pressure cook for 15-20 minutes.
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