Chieftain^® Wild Rice Company

ADZUKI BEANS

Description:

Adzuki Beans are small, russet colored beans, oval in shape with a point at one end.  Detailed with a thin white line down their side, the Adzuki has a sweet, nutty flavor and firm texture.  Known as the “Mercedes” of beans, the Adzuki Bean is a bush bean rather than a vine bean. The Adzuki is native to East Asia and was brought to the U.S. in the mid 19th century. In North America and Europe it is valued for its relatively low cooking time as well as low fat, high protein and natural sugar nutritional profile.  When cooked the Adzuki has a tender skin and reddish color.  The Adzuki goes by names such as; Adsuki, Aduki, Asuki, Azuki, Feijao and Red Oriental bean.

Suggested Use:

In the Orient, Adzuki Beans are usually cooked to a red, soft consistency and served with coconut milk.  Adzuki Beans can be boiled with sugar, resulting in red bean paste, a very common ingredient in Chinese, Japanese and Korean cuisines.  Red bean paste can be used as a filling or boiled in a hot tea-like drink  Adzuki Beans can be boiled with sugar, lotus seeds and orange peel, producing a sweet dish called red bean soup or used in Apple Bacon Soup.  Steam with rice to give a unique pink color to the rice for a pleasant plate presentation.  Simmer with lentils and vegetables for a hearty stew or add to stir fry recipes.