Organic 'Adzuki' dwarf bean
Organic 'Adzuki' dwarf bean (Vigna angularis / Phaseolus vulgaris ) from Gaia seed company, a nutritious, digestible red bean perfect for Asian and fusion cuisine
The 'Adzuki' bean is a short-season heirloom variety that produces small, bushy, highly productive plants . Its long, slender pods contain numerous small red beans , rich in nutrients and traditionally used to accompany rice, in soups, Asian desserts, sweet stuffings, or stews. Its tender texture , high digestibility , and abundance of vitamins (A, B, C, E) and minerals (calcium, iron, magnesium, potassium, manganese) make it a valuable food. Productive, robust, and easy to grow, it often yields two harvests in a single warm season.
( Note: Mung beans and adzuki beans belong to Vigna , but are still cultivated as Phaseolus in vegetable gardens. Gaia lists them under Phaseolus vulgaris. )
Companion plants : Corn, Carrot, Cabbage, Cucumber, Peas, Radish, Potato, Squash, Nasturtium, Rosemary
Nefarious plants : Alliums, Beetroot
Spread/Habit : Dwarf, bushy
Plant height : 30 to 45 cm
Quantity per packet : 50 seeds
Certification : Certified organic by Ecocert Canada
Special features : Asian red bean, nutritious, easy to digest, two-stage growth, excellent flavor with rice
Leaf color : Medium green
Texture/flavor : Soft, mealy, slightly sweet
Cold tolerance : Not frost tolerant
Farming method
To improve germination, soak the seeds for a maximum of 8 hours in lukewarm water (longer soaking will kill the seeds). Sow directly after the last frost , at a depth of 2.5–5 cm .
Space the plants 7 to 10 cm apart, with 30 cm between rows. Germination takes 8 to 10 days at 21 to 31 °C , optimum 26 °C .
Grow in full sun (level 3) and water regularly but moderately (level 2). For sustained production, sow every 3 weeks .
Harvesting and preservation
Harvest when the pods turn brown and dry completely . Hang the plants upside down in a well-ventilated area, then beat the bunch to extract the seeds.
Storage tip : Only freeze dried beans , in order to preserve their quality and avoid pests.
Usage ideas
• Traditionally mixed with rice
• As adzuki paste for Asian desserts (anko)
• In Japanese or Korean soups
• In mild curries , stews or soups
• In flour or red bean puree
The ' Adzuki' bean is a nutritious and time-honored classic , perfect for diversifying your vegetable garden and discovering new flavors. Hardy, easy to digest, and ideal for small spaces, it offers a generous harvest and two potential growing cycles.
