Adzuki Beans
Varieties
Adzuki beans belong to the Phaseolus species and are generally categorized in the “red bean” family, although they are less common in the United States than other red beans such as the kidney bean and the small red bean.
Preparation, Uses, & Tips
Adzuki beans are easy to digest, and although they have a distinctive flavor, they taste less “beany” than many other beans. The preferred cooking method is to soak them in cold water for two to three hours and then simmer them on top of the stove for about an hour and a half. They also cook well in a crockpot or pressure cooker. In Japanese cooking, they are used in desserts in the form of a sweetened paste called an, koshi-an, or tsubushi-an. When adzukis are prepared with rice, the rice takes on a beautiful reddish-purple tint from the beans.
Storing
Store dried adzuki beans in an airtight container or jar.