Urd bean
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Urd, urd bean, urad or black gram (Vigna mungo) is a bean grown in southern Asia. It is largely used to make dal from the whole or split, dehusked seeds. It, along with mung bean was placed in Phaseolus but has been transferred to Vigna. It was at one point considered to belong to the same species as mung bean.
Black gram originated in India where it has been in cultivation from ancient times and is one of the most highly prized pulses of India. It has also been introduced to other tropical areas mainly by Indian immigrants.
It is an erect, sub-erect or trailing, densely hairy annual herb. The tap root produces a branched root system with smooth, rounded nodules. The pods are narrow, cylindrical and upto 6 cm long. It is the most nutritious of all pulses and is recommended for diabetics. It is boiled and eaten whole or after splitting into dhal. It is extensively used in various culinary preparation like idli, curries and papad. Though very beneficial in limited quantities excessive intake causes flatulence, which can be prevented by adding little asafoetida, pepper and ginger in the cultinary preparations.
Reference
External links
- Vigna mungo (L.) Hepper (http://www.gene.affrc.go.jp/htbin/plant/image/get_logo_e?plno=54261009)