Benefits and harms of golden beans of the Mash variety: features of care and application

Mung beans are a herbaceous plant of the Vigna genus. They are consumed both canned and raw. In India, the hulled beans are used, in China, noodles called "funchoza" are made from the mung bean starch, and in Chinese restaurants, sprouted bean sprouts are served. Mung beans lower blood sugar levels, improve vascular elasticity, and have general tonic properties.

What are mung beans and how are they better than beans and peas?

An annual plant of the legume family. It is called golden bean, although the fruits are actually green. Mung beans, or mung beans, are the most ancient legume crop. Native to India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh.

Mung beans are now known throughout the world. However, they are most prized and loved in Asia. In Russia and the European part of the former Soviet Union, the crop is less well known.

The beans resemble peas in appearance and taste like kidney beans. The only difference is the nutty flavor.

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Advantages of mung beans:

• short preparation and cooking time – no pre-soaking, steaming time – 40 minutes;
• Suitable for children - does not cause bloating;
• the presence of easily digestible nutrients.

How to choose the right one

If you decide to grow mung beans in your garden, you'll need to stock up on planting material. You can buy it at any supermarket where mung beans are sold for consumption.

Basic rules:

1. Inspect the packaging – the packaging material should be transparent so that the small beans can be clearly seen.
2. The appearance and condition of the contents are assessed: small, slightly elongated fruits should have intact, glossy, green skin.
3. They look at the producers of mung beans – the best are Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, India, and Australia.

Beans remain viable for two years after harvest. For growing, it's best to choose smaller beans, as shown in the photo, as they germinate faster.

Beneficial properties

It's no coincidence that the plant has earned such widespread popularity in Asia. The benefits of beans are significant, and there are no harmful effects from eating them.

Medicinal properties of mung bean:

• improves gastrointestinal tract function, promoting rapid digestion;
• helps remove toxins, having a diuretic effect;
• strengthens the bone and immune system;
• acts as a preventative measure against arthritis;
• lowers blood sugar levels;
• makes the vascular system more elastic.

Composition and caloric content

Mung beans have a complex composition. 100 grams of the product contains the following substances:

• protein – 23%;
• carbohydrates – 44%;
• fats – 2%;
• calcium, magnesium, sodium, selenium, iron, copper, phosphorus, potassium;
• B vitamins.

Mung beans contain slow-release carbohydrates. Dishes made from them keep you full for a long time. The nutritional value of 100 grams of mung beans is 347 kcal.

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Growing, care, storage

Since mung beans are a heat-loving crop with a long growing season, they are grown from seedlings in all regions except the southern ones. The plants thrive in hot temperatures – around 30–35°C. For colder zones, it's better to choose cold-hardy varieties. Seedlings are planted in open ground when the soil warms to 15°C. Temperatures are measured at a depth of 10 cm.

The planting site should be sunny and well-ventilated. The soil should be loose, have a good fertile layer, and have a neutral pH. These characteristics can be achieved through preliminary site preparation. Lime is added to acidic soils, while peat is used in alkaline soils. Peat also loosens the soil well. Organic matter and mineral complexes are added during tillage, taking the soil pH into account. This will determine the most suitable fertilizer.

In arid regions, beans require watering. Afterward, loosen the soil and weed. The plant grows to an average height of 1.5 meters, so some support is a good idea. If the seedlings were planted in fertile soil, they don't require additional feeding.

How to sprout mung beans

It's easier to buy ready-made bean sprouts. However, not every store carries them.

Self-germination scheme:

1. Beans of the same shape and size are selected and then washed with cold water.
2. The fruits are thrown into a colander to remove all the liquid.
3. Wet gauze folded in several layers is spread out on the table.
4. The beans are distributed over it and covered with the same material.
5. Keep the gauze constantly moist.

After 2-3 days the mung bean sprouts.

Storage methods

Mung beans ripen unevenly. Harvesting is done in several stages. The plucked, dry pods are laid out in the shade to air, then the pods are removed. The beans are placed in cloth bags. To protect against bugs, a clove of garlic or a bay leaf can be placed in each bag.

When the growing season comes to an end, all the green pods are harvested from the plants. If the beans are not yet ripe, they are divided in half and frozen. Slightly unripe beans are threshed and placed in the freezer.

Use in cosmetology and cooking

The beneficial antiseptic properties of mung beans have found application in cosmetology. Beauty experts recommend masks containing the beans for problematic and acne-prone skin. The pods and dried parts of the plant are also used. The former are used to make lotions, while the latter, ground, is used for scrubs.

Mung beans are a staple of traditional Asian cuisine. They are used to prepare first courses, second courses, and a variety of appetizers. Recipes previously known only in Asia have begun to be adopted by European chefs. In Russia, mung bean dishes are prepared during Lent.

A selection of interesting recipes

Many mung bean dishes are easy to prepare and nutritious. Their nutritional value is high, thanks to their high content of vitamins and microelements.

Soup with minced meat

A hearty first course for a family dinner.

Compound:

• onion and carrot – 1 each;
• mung beans – 300 g;
• tomato paste – 15 g;
• ground beef – 200 g;
• water – 1.5 l;
• salt, spices and herbs – to taste.

How to cook:

1. Vegetables are cut into cubes and sautéed.
2. Beans that have been pre-soaked for 45 minutes are added to the finished frying mixture.
3. Add tomato paste and minced meat, then fry until the meat is cooked.
4. The contents are transferred to a saucepan and filled with water.
5. Add the necessary spices and cook until the beans are soft.

Shavlya with mango beans

Uzbek porridge acquires a new nutty flavor when cooked with mung beans.

Compound:

• onion and carrot – 1 each;
• beans – 200 g;
• rice - the same amount;
• ground beef – 300 g;
• salt, spices and herbs – to taste.

Step-by-step preparation according to the recipe:

1. The beans are soaked for 30 minutes.
2. Vegetables chopped in a convenient way are sautéed in a cauldron.
3. The lamb is washed, dried and cut into medium-sized pieces.
4. Meat, cereals and beans are added to the frying pan.
5. The contents of the cauldron are salted and seasoned, and water is added to cover everything.
6. Simmer over low heat until done.

Serve in portioned plates with sliced ​​tomatoes and cucumbers.

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For the Lenten menu

Mung bean kitchari is very easy to prepare and satisfies hunger for a long time.

Compound:

• onion and carrot – 1 each;
• sweet pepper – 2 pcs.;
• mung beans – 300 g;
• rice - half as much;
• garlic cloves – 2 pcs.;
• pepper, cumin, coriander, salt – to taste;
• zucchini – ½ pc.;
• sunflower oil – as needed.

Work progress:

1. The cereal and beans are poured with water and after half an hour they are boiled until done.
2. Spices are fried in a frying pan without adding vegetable fat.
3. When adding chopped onion and garlic cloves, add a little oil.
4. Pepper strips, carrot sticks and young zucchini sticks are added to the aromatic frying.
5. Mung beans and rice are added to the vegetable mixture.
6. Everything is salted and placed on plates.

The treat is reminiscent of Lenten pilaf, but is distinguished by its special piquancy.

Bean cutlets

Another treat for those observing the fast.

Compound:

• onion and carrot – 1 each;
• mung beans – 300 g;
• egg – 1 pc.;
• salt, spices – optional;
• breadcrumbs, sunflower oil – as needed.

How to cook:

1. Vegetables are chopped and sautéed in vegetable oil.
2. Mung beans are soaked and then boiled in salted water.
3. The fried vegetables and beans are chopped using a meat grinder or blender and mixed with the egg.
4. The minced mass is salted, seasoned, and then formed into products that are rolled in flour.
5. The cutlets are fried until done.

Sprouts salad

An ideal breakfast, executed in the Chinese tradition.

Compound:

• sprouts – 200 g;
• lettuce leaves – 2-3 pcs.;
• lemon – ½ pc.;
• peeled sunflower seeds – 20 g;
• olive oil – as needed.

Main steps:

1. The leaves are torn by hand and placed on the bottom of the dish.
2. The sprouts are placed on top.
3. The juice is squeezed out of the citrus and the shoots are sprinkled with it.
4. The seeds are roasted and used to sprinkle on the sprouts.
5. The layers are salted and seasoned.

For serving, it is recommended to stock up on slices of rye bread.

Mung beans are a healthy vegetable crop. By following a few simple guidelines, you can easily grow them in your own garden, then treat your loved ones to delicious and filling treats worthy of Asian restaurants.