The beans in which there are the moth beans are very rich in nutrition. They are good for our health. Moth bean is popular ingredient in India and some countries. Moth bean is a species of bean of Vigna genus in Fabaceae family. This bean is native to India and Pakistan, and now it is still popular grown there especially in India, and is also cultivated in US, Australia, and some of Asian countries.
The beans such as moth beans are the annual plants which could stand the drought, slight salinity, and grow on different types of soil. They are usually planted at the end of rainy season, and will be mature in 75-90 days. The stem of bean is about 40 cm in height, but the branches could reach the span up to 150 cm. Moth bean has the brown pod from 2.5-5 cm, seeds are small and color could be yellow-brown, whitish green or mottled with black.
Like most genera of fabaceae family, moth bean as many types of bean that contains high nutrition content especially protein which is about 23% per 100 g raw bean, besides are other nutrients and minerals such as vitamin B6, C, calcium, magnesium….
Usages of moth bean:
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As food
+The young pod:
it is same with other beans that could be eaten after boiling.
+The seed:
It could be used as split and whole seed or ground into flour. We could dry or cook the seeds with rice and spices, or soak and keep them to sprout and use as bean sprout. There are some traditional dishes in India that use moth bean like dahlia, dhal (from dried split seed), or bean sprouts with spices. The bean-sprouts are also popular in other Asian countries. This bean seeds is also popular in dishes for vegetarian diet and many people as risotto, couscous and soups.
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As forage
Moth bean is also used as forage for animals. As forage, it will be planted more densely.
Storage of moth bean
When mature, moth bean will be harvested by cutting (the sickle is mostly used), and about a week later will be threshed and winnowed to take the seed. The seed then could be used or kept to the next crop.
The beans generally when maintained in an airtight container, and stored in a cool, dry and dark place, could be kept for few months. For longer storage, we should store the bean in the fridge.
For large quantity, the bean should be dried and place in a dry, clean, cool storage with the parchment enclosed. It should be packed and placed about 30 cm high from the ground, 20 cm separated from the wall and at least 50 cm to the roof. The good storage could keep the beans safe up to 7-8 months or more.
