Lablab bean

Lablab purpureus

legume

Seeds and young pods, often purple, of a very hardy climbing tropical legume; always soaked and then well cooked. They provide protein, fibre, folate and iron.

Origin

East Africa

Season (United States)

all year round

Preparation

Always soaked, the water thrown away, then well cooked: raw, it contains compounds that release cyanide and a lectin that upsets the gut. Soaking, sprouting or sourdough bring its phytates down — and release the zinc and iron they were holding. High in purines: to rotate rather than stack, if the ground is sensitive.

Molecules

Resistant starch RS1 · GOS (galacto-oligosaccharides) · Saponins · Folates (B9) · Plant iron · Zinc · Potassium · Protein · Lysine · Phosphorus · Molybdenum · Choline · InositolIn small amounts, not counted Calcium · Copper · Tryptophan · PhytosterolsWhat slows things down Phytates · Purines

Did you know?

It is called hyacinth bean, Egyptian kidney bean or bonavist bean, and zantac or pois antaque on Réunion.