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What is an Azuki Bean?
Diane Goettel
Diane Goettel
The azuki bean, which is also sometimes called the "adzuki bean" or the "aduki bean," is a legume that grows on a vine. It is particularly common in Asia. The bean is red in color and rather small, approximately one fifth of an inch in length (about five millimeters). The bean sometimes comes in black, gray, white, and mottled colors, but is most commonly grown in the red color.
This bean has been cultivated in Asia for over a century. It is believed that the bean was grown in Korea and China before 1000 BC and that it was domesticated in the Himalayas. After its cultivation in Korea and mainland China, the bean was taken to Japan where it was also cultivated. The azuki bean is particularly popular in Japan where it is second only to the soybean. In fact, the name of the bean comes from Japan.
The most common uses for the azuki bean are in sweet dishes. It is commonly used as a filling for sweet pastries and is often used in sorbet and ice cream recipes. It is also sometimes mixed with a thickener such as agar-agar to create a jelly-like dessert that is served in small cubes. It is often simply referred to as "red bean." For example, a bun made with a sweet azuki filling would simply be referred to as a "red bean bun." In the same manner, an icy dessert made with azuki beans would be called "red bean ice cream."
Azuki beans can be purchased raw, dried, or as a paste. Red bean paste is made by mashing the beans and cooking them with a sweetener such as sugar or honey. Depending on the intended use of the paste, it may be crudely mashed so that the texture of some of the beans remains. In other cases, the beans may be pureed so that the paste is smooth. Azuki bean paste, or "red bean paste," is commonly used by pastry chefs in Japan, Korea, and China.
As with most legumes, the azuki bean is a good source of soluble fiber. It is also a good source of protein, iron, and complex carbohydrates. Unfortunately, the culinary uses of the beans often pair them with a large quantity of refined sugar, which is not nearly as healthy. The results of the culinary uses, however, yield rich, sweet, and delicious desserts and pastries.
Diane Goettel
In addition to her work as a freelance writer for WiseGEEK, Diane is the executive editor of Black Lawrence Press, an independent publishing company based in upstate New York. She has also edited several anthologies, the e-newsletter Sapling, and The Adirondack Review. Diane has a B.A. from Sarah Lawrence College and an M.A. from Brooklyn College.
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Diane Goettel
In addition to her work as a freelance writer for WiseGEEK, Diane is the executive editor of Black Lawrence Press, an independent publishing company based in upstate New York. She has also edited several anthologies, the e-newsletter Sapling, and The Adirondack Review. Diane has a B.A. from Sarah Lawrence College and an M.A. from Brooklyn College.
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By: Elena SchweitzerAdzuki beans. -
![The azuki bean was domesticated in the Himalayas.]()
By: Microstock ManThe azuki bean was domesticated in the Himalayas. -
![The azuki bean was likely cultivated in China before 1000 BC.]()
By: pavalenaThe azuki bean was likely cultivated in China before 1000 BC.
Discussion Comments
It seems azuki beans are a very popular ingredient for desserts. Is this because the beans taste fairly bland?
The good part about azuki bean sweets is that they're not as bad as other sweets because of the fiber and protein in the beans. In fact, they're kind of healthy, especially if one goes easy on the sugar.
My favorite azuki bean dessert is Japanese is anmitsu, which agar-agar jelly topped with azuki bean paste, glutinous rice balls and fruits. It's simply amazing.
@canyquilt-- It's actually very easy to make. You just need to soak the beans and then boil them. For the non-sweet version, you can add rice to make it a filling meal. For the dessert, add sugar. You can also add rice balls or rice cake (mochi) or tapioca pearls. That's about it!
You should also try desserts made with red bean paste like mochi and red bean pancake. They're also delicious.
Does anyone know how to make azuki bean porridge, also called red bean porridge? I had this once at a restaurant and have been craving it lately! It was filling and sweet, and just perfect!
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