🌿 Winged beans (Psophocarpus tetragonolobus) are tropical legumes celebrated for their versatility, nutrition, and beauty. Known by many names—Goa bean, princess bean, dragon bean, and four-angled bean—they’re a gardener’s dream and a nutritional powerhouse.
🌱 Botanical & Growing Profile
- Growth habit: Vigorous climbing vine, up to 3–4 meters tall
- Climate: Thrives in hot, humid regions—perfect for Kerala and much of South Asia
- Soil: Well-drained, fertile loam; pH 6.0–7.5
- Support: Needs trellis, fencing, or stakes to climb
- Sowing time: Monsoon (June–July) or late winter (Feb–March)
- Harvest: Pods ready ~75 days after sowing; tubers at ~120 days
🍽️ Edible Parts & Culinary Uses
Every part of the winged bean is edible:
| Part | Use |
|---|---|
| Pods | Stir-fries, curries, salads, pickles |
| Leaves | Cooked like spinach or added to soups |
| Flowers | Used in salads or to color rice/pastries |
| Tubers | Boiled, roasted, or made into chips |
| Seeds | Cooked like soybeans; used in flour or milk |
Flavor-wise, they’re nutty and slightly sweet—some say they taste like asparagus when raw.
🧪 Nutrition Highlights (per 100g)
- Protein: ~30g (rivaling soybeans!)
- Fiber: ~25g
- Vitamins: A, B1, B2, C
- Minerals: Iron, calcium, magnesium, phosphorus
- Antioxidants: Polyphenols, flavonoids
đź’š Health Benefits
- Boosts immunity and eye health (vitamins A & C)
- Supports digestion and heart health (fiber & potassium)
- Aids muscle growth and energy (protein & phosphorus)
- Promotes healthy skin and pregnancy wellness (folate & iron)
🌟 Why Grow Winged Beans?
- Multi-use crop: Vegetable, pulse, green manure, animal feed
- Nitrogen fixer: Improves soil fertility naturally
- Low maintenance: Pest-resistant and adaptable
- Beautiful: Blue flowers and frilly pods add charm to gardens
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