Have you seen or tasted hyacinth or the lablab beans before? I know, its name it a bit weird, but hey, I am serious. Even though it has a weird name, this type of legume is no ordinary! It has a lot of health benefits, which are all for the betterment of the health. These health benefits of hyacinth beans that I am referring to are really interesting. So if you want to get to know more about this and more, give this article a read! Worry less, because you will learn a lot of new things from this article. Sit back, relax, and enjoy the read!
What is Hyacinth or Lablab Beans?
The hyacinth beans or the lablab beans are a cultivar of pole beans that come from the Fabaceae legumes family. It is thought that the hyacinth beans comes originally from the country of India, where it typically grows from various home-gardens for the immature pods, which are then eaten as vegetables. Moreover, the bean is also enjoyed in the country of Japan. They call it Fujimame in Japan, Brazil, Central America, and in the Middle East.
Botanically speaking, the bean actually belongs to the twirling or vine variety of the Fabaceae family, as well as the genus Lablab. Its name, lablab beans actually came from its scientific name, Lablab. Moreover, some also call it fagiolo indiano, dolico lablab, bonavist pea or bean, Egyptian bean, seim bean, and Dolichos bean.
The hyacinth beans are actually native to the region of North Africa. They widely cultivate it for food for so long now. Furthermore, it also didn’t take too long before it spreads through various countries in Asia through India.
Furthermore, the hyacinth bean is a variety of the dolichos, annual beans. It is closely related to the yard-long beans and the black-eyed peas or cowpeas. The hyacinth beans is actually a tropical perennial vining plant, which requires trellis in order to support its own growth. It keeps on growing as a short-term perennial plant, as long as the weather and moisture allow it.
Moreover, the white or purple flowers of the hyacinth plants appear in clusters, which may develop into thick, flat, somewhat curved green pods that have pointed ends. Each of the pods usually contains about 2-6 round or oval mottled seeds. These seeds exhibit a prominent white hilim, which commonly covers one-third of the seed.
Nutritional Content of Hyacinth Beans
A hundred grams of hyacinth beans contain the following essential nutrients. These nutrients are also the ones that contribute to the health benefits of hyacinth beans.
| Principle | Amount | % Daily Value |
| Energy | 344 Kcal | 17% |
| Carbohydrates | 60.74 grams | 47% |
| Protein | 23.90 grams | 43% |
| Total Fat | 1.69 grams | 8.5% |
| Cholesterol | 0 milligrams | 0% |
| Dietary Fiber | 25.6 grams | 67% |
| Vitamins | ||
| Folates | 23 micrograms | 6% |
| Niacin | 1.610 milligrams | 10% |
| Pyridoxine | 0.155 milligrams | 12% |
| Riboflavin | 0.136 milligrams | 10% |
| Thiamin | 1.130 milligrams | 94% |
| Vitamin A | 0 IU | 0% |
| Electrolytes | ||
| Sodium | 21 milligrams | 1.5% |
| Potassium | 1235 milligrams | 26% |
| Minerals | ||
| Calcium | 130 milligrams | 13% |
| Copper | 1.335 milligrams | 148% |
| Iron | 5.10 milligrams | 64% |
| Magnesium | 283 milligrams | 71% |
| Manganese | 1.573 milligrams | 68% |
| Phosphorus | 0.372 milligrams | 53% |
| Selenium | 8.2 micrograms | 15% |
| Zinc | 9.30 milligrams | 84% |
Health Benefits of
Here are some of the most staggering health benefits of hyacinth beans:
- A hundred grams of the hyacinth beans have rich amounts of potassium. Potassium, as we know, is an essential electrolyte for the cell and body fluids. This is beneficial in countering the pressing effects of the sodium on the heart as well as the blood pressure.
- The fresh pods of hyacinth beans are a good source of vitamin C. this is beneficial in the wound healing, as well as in tissue repair.
- The fresh, immature pods have good levels of vitamins A and K. The vitamin A is essential for the mucosal regeneration and maintenance.
- Dry hyacinth beans have rich levels of thiamin. This is essential in the metabolism of carbohydrates. The deficiency of it may lead to beriberi disease.
- The hyacinth beans are free of gluten. It is recommendable as a substitute for gluten-free protein food in celiac disease and gluten-allergy patients.
- The dietary fiber in the hyacinth beans are beneficial in reducing the levels of blood cholesterol through the reduction of the reabsorption of cholesterol binding bile acids in our colon,
- Dry hyacinth beans are good sources of dietary fiber among the pole beans. The nutrient is beneficial in bulking the stools.
- Immature and raw hyacinth pods carry about 46 calories every 100 grams. This is beneficial for the health.
Serving Tips for Hyacinth Beans
You may serve the beans through any of the following serving tips:
- The whole immature pods may be used in delicious curry preparations.
- You can use hyacinth beans with Che dau van, a Vietnamese bean dessert, done through boiling hyacinth beans, coconut milk, and sugar.
- In the country of India, the hyacinth beans may be used in sem-aloo ki sabzi with tomato, onion, and potato.
- The fresh hyacinth beans may be used in stews, baking, stir-fries, as well as in salads.
There is no doubt that the are a beast when it comes to health benefits!
