Origin: India

Etymology

Its name comes from the little dark patch produced at the point where the bean attaches to the pod.

Description
Grown in tropical and subtropical climates, there are over 7000 varieties in various colors and textures. It's an annual plant that grows 80 cm high that, after blooming, produces straight, spiraled or curved pods 4 - 7 cm long. Each pod holds 2 to 12 seeds. 

Varieties

• Cow pea or asparagus bean (French: dolique asperge)
  • Grown mostly in the Far East and Caribbean, the pods are straight or curved and measure 30 cm to 1 meter long, containing 15 to 20 black or brown kidney-shaped beans. It has a faint asparagus flavor, hence its name. 
• Hyacinth bean, Lablab or Tonga bean (French: dolique d'Égypte)
  • This plant can reach up to 10 meters in height, though usually it is between 2 and 3 meters. Its curved beans measure 5 to 20 cm and contain flat, longish beans with rounded ends, either solid-colored or speckled. 

Nutritional values per 100g

• Calories: 300 / 335
• Protein: 24 g
• Fat: 1 - 2 g
• Carbohydrates: 50 - 66 g
• Fiber: 5 - 7 g
• Rich in calcium, phosphorus and niacin (hyacinth bean only)