What is Azuki beans?

Azuki beans, which are also sometimes called "beans adzuki" or "beans Aduki", is legumes that grow on the vines. It is especially common in Asia. The beans are red and relatively small, approximately one fifth inch in length (about five millimeters). Beans sometimes come in black, gray, white and spotted color, but most often grown in red.

This bean has been grown in Asia for more than a century. It is believed that the beans were grown in Korea and China before 1000 BC and that it was domesticated in the Himalayas. After its cultivation in Korea and the mainland China, the beans were transported to Japan, where it was also cultivated. Azuki beans are especially popular in Japan, where it comes second. In fact, the name of the bean comes from Japan.

The most common use of Azuki beans are in sweet dishes. It is only a commerRecipes of sorbet and ice cream. Sometimes it is also mixed with a thickener, such as agar-agar to create a dessert similar to jelly, which is served in small cubes. It is often simply referred to as "red beans". For example, a bun made of sweet filling Azuki would simply be referred to as "red beans". In the same way, an ice dessert made of azuki beans would be called "ice cream red beans".

Azuki beans can be purchased raw, dried or as a paste. Red beans paste is produced by crushing beans and cooking is a sweetener such as sugar or honey. Depending on the intended use of the paste, it can be roughly crushed so that the texture of some beans remains. In other cases, the beans can be purely so that the paste is smooth. Azuki Bean Paste, or "Red Bean Paste", is commonly used by confectioners in Japan, Korea and China.

As with most legumes, Azuki beans are a good source of soluble fiber. This is a good source of protein, iron and complex carbohydratesattu. Unfortunately, the culinary use of beans often pairs them with a large amount of refined sugar, which is not nearly as healthy. However, the results of culinary uses bring rich, sweet and tasty desserts and pastries.