Black-eyed pea

眉豆

strengthens the spleendispels dampnesspromotes water metabolism消腫

The dried seed of the cowpea (Vigna unguiculata), a small cream-coloured bean with a dark 'eye' at the hilum, sold in bags in the dried-goods aisle. Soaked briefly and boiled soft, it has a mild, slightly mealy bite and gives damp-season soups body and quiet bean sweetness, classically alongside peanuts, papaya or chicken feet.

TCM properties

Nature · neutral　Flavour · sweet　Meridians · spleen、kidney

Traditional food therapy

In Cantonese food therapy black-eyed bean is used to strengthen the spleen, dispel dampness and ease water retention, a staple of the springtime damp-weather pot.

Cautions — read first

Keep to a moderate amount if you bloat easily or feel stuck and gassy.
Only easy to digest once cooked right through.

Preparation

Soak for 30 to 60 minutes.

Origin

華南各省廣泛種植（原產非洲，早已歸化中國） — Australian retail stock is labelled American-grown (Henghui 'American White Eyebrow Beans')

Availability in Australia

Common at Asian grocers · A$0.99–1.3 / 100g
Henghui American White Eyebrow Beans 375g $4.89 / 1kg $9.89

Pairs well with

Peanut Papaya Dried octopus Hairy gourd / fuzzy melon Chicken feet

Soups that use this ingredient · 5

Papaya, peanut and black-eyed pea soup with chicken feetNot yet surveyed (we say so honestly)

木瓜花生眉豆雞腳湯

strengthens the spleenpostpartum nourishmentstrengthens sinews and bonesAll year

街市Papaya· 1百子櫃Peanut· 75 g百子櫃Black-eyed pea· 75 g街市Chicken feet· 8街市Pork bones (femur / blade)· 300 g百子櫃Red jujube date· 4

“The pot she makes when someone needs looking after.”

Black-eyed pea and tangerine peel soup with common carpNot yet surveyed (we say so honestly)

眉豆陳皮鯉魚湯

strengthens the spleenpromotes water metabolismAll year

百子櫃Common carp· 1, about 300 g or more百子櫃Black-eyed pea· 100 g百子櫃Aged dried tangerine peel· 10 g街市Fresh ginger· 3 slices

“The pot for damp weather.”

Hairy gourd, black-eyed pea and peanut soup with chicken feetNot yet surveyed (we say so honestly)

節瓜眉豆花生雞腳湯

strengthens the spleendispels dampnesspromotes water metabolismSummerAll year

街市Hairy gourd / fuzzy melon· 2百子櫃Black-eyed pea· 75 g百子櫃Peanut· 75 g街市Chicken feet· 8街市Pork bones (femur / blade)· 300 g百子櫃Candied honey date· 2… +1

“The pot for damp weather.”

Old cucumber, corn and black-eyed pea soup with pork shinNot yet surveyed (we say so honestly)

老黃瓜粟米眉豆豬展湯

clears heatnourishes yinstrengthens the spleenSummer

街市Old (mature yellow) cucumber· 1, about 900 g (1.5 catties)街市Corn / maize (with corn silk)· 2百子櫃Black-eyed pea· 75 g百子櫃Peanut· 40 g (1 tael)街市Pork shin (shank)· 300 g百子櫃Candied honey date· 2… +1

“The pot for damp weather.”

Peanut, black-eyed pea and corn soup with pork ribsA$15–16

花生眉豆粟米排骨湯

strengthens the spleenpromotes water metabolismdispels dampnessSpringAll year

百子櫃Peanut· 75 g百子櫃Black-eyed pea· 75 g街市Corn / maize (with corn silk)· 2街市Pork spare ribs· 600 g (1 catty)百子櫃Candied honey date· 2百子櫃Aged dried tangerine peel· 1 piece

“The pot for damp weather.”