Beans are popular for a reason. For one, they’re tasty, and two, you get them in tons of variety.
One such variety is the red bean. It’s another member of the legume family, and as the name suggests, it’s red.
Despite its different names, its most popular name is “red bean,” and although it’s pretty well-known globally, some people might be extra curious about this bean.
If you’re one of them, you’ve come to the right place.
Today’s post will cover several aspects of these beans, such as what does red bean taste like? Or where you can buy them.
So, continue reading if you’re still interested.
What is Red Bean?

Red bean, also called kidney beans due to their shape, is a type of legume, and it’s well-known for their nutritional properties.
The beans are primarily available in two varieties – the darker red version and the lighter red one.
These beans are generally considered much firmer and bigger than other beans.
However, the lighter one is considered softer in terms of texture between the two varieties.
As mentioned earlier, red bean goes by different names in different countries.
For instance, it’s called rajma in India, while in East Asian countries, it’s usually referred to as Adzuki beans.
But, despite its different names and multiple varieties, it refers to only one type of bean.
Moreover, the beans are also considered a great plant-based protein.
Hence, it serves as an excellent option for vegans and vegetarians.
The beans are also eaten as an individual snack, used as a side dish, or served as the main dish.
What Does Red Bean Taste Like?

Contrary to its dark red color, red bean contains a taste of natural sweetness.
Along with this sweetness, it offers hints of nuttiness when eaten.
This sweet and nutty combo also makes the bean compatible with many sweet & savory dishes.
Compared to its other legume relatives, the red bean is quite similar to pinto beans or black beans.
Apart from its sweetness, it also carries a very earthy tone and a smooth texture that usually pairs well with different ingredients.
Moreover, the sweet factor contributes well to desserts as well.
Additionally, the beans closely resemble the taste of sweet potato owing to their deep and earthy palate.
However, the sweetness is not as overwhelming and may also vary depending on the variety of red beans.
In terms of consistency, red beans produce a creamy, thick, and smooth texture when blended or mashed.
This is closely observed in one of its popular paste called the red bean paste.
But as we’ve already mentioned, red bean isn’t just famous for their taste.
Avid eaters of the bean would also know that it offers impressive nutritional value.
In fact, red bean is filled with several nutrients such as carbs, protein, and fiber (among others).
It’s also considered to be high in anti-oxidant.
Other significant health benefits include improving digestion, reducing diabetic risk, weight loss, and more.
So, if you’re looking for healthy food to add to your diet, red beans are it.
How to Cook Red Bean?

If you know how to make it, red beans can create some rewarding dishes for your diet.
Plus, the best part is they’re not as difficult to prepare, and you can also follow many traditional recipes.
If not, red beans are pretty versatile. Hence, you can experiment and add your own twist using the beans.
Whatever the choice is, the satisfaction level will remain the same.
If you haven’t really cooked red beans before, you can always start with easy-to-make classics such as rice and some red bean curry.
But, before the cooking premiere, it’s essential to soak the beans first.
This is a must-follow technique if you’re planning to cook red beans due to the hardness of the beans.
For best results, you can soak the beans for around four hours.
You can even soak them overnight as well.
Since these beans are quite tough, they can still take around 40 minutes to cook thoroughly, even after the soaking process.
You can cook them for over an hour until you get the desired tenderness.
You can use a pressure cooker to get some rich and intense flavor from the beans.
One most common way to cook the beans is to soak them for a night, place them in a pot or pressure cooker, cook them in low heat until they become tender, and then season them with peppers, onions, or salt.
How to Buy Red Bean?

The red bean is considered a staple food in different counties.
Hence, it can be found in most countries either through online or local markets.
So, let’s find out how exactly you can buy red bean.
Thanks to the power of e-commerce, you can find red beans with just one click today.
Yes, we’re talking about online stores. Red beans are available across various online grocery stores.
You can go through various stores, compare prices and reviews and purchase whichever option you prefer.
But if you’re more of a local adventurer, you can always pop down the market or visit a commercial store and purchase them.
The options are pretty limitless these days, as you can purchase them online and offline.
The choice ultimately depends on you.
Conclusion
They’re healthy and tasty, and there is more than one way to cook them.
So, if you’re looking for a new meal plan, consider adding red beans to the roster.
You can find different flavoring and cooking methods to prepare this plant without worrying much about health problems.
If you’re a newbie to the world of beans (although that’s highly unlikely) or if you have a busy schedule, give some of the recipes we’ve mentioned above a try.
Regardless of which recipes or methods you follow, red beans will be a great meal choice.
Plus, they’re available in most marketplaces these days, so give it a go.
It may even become a part of your daily meal plan.