White hyacinth bean

扁豆

strengthens the spleendispels dampness化濕和中消暑孕婦祛濕湯可以扁豆代薏米

The dried mature seed of the hyacinth bean (Lablab purpureus), a climbing legume, sold as flattish ivory-white beans in the dried-goods aisle; a dry-fried version (炒扁豆) is also common. It must be cooked right through, after which it turns mealy and mild, lending body and a gentle bean sweetness to slow-boiled soups without dominating them.

TCM properties

Nature · warming　Flavour · sweet　Meridians · spleen、stomach

Traditional food therapy

In Cantonese food therapy white hyacinth bean is used to strengthen the spleen, dispel dampness and harmonise the middle against summer heat; tradition also substitutes it for Job's tears in dampness soups intended for pregnancy.

Cautions — read first

Raw hyacinth beans contain lectins, so they must be cooked right through.
Keep to a moderate amount if you bloat easily or feel stuck and gassy.

Preparation

Soak and rinse, then cook right through; dry-fried hyacinth bean (炒扁豆, the beans toasted in a dry wok first) is held to be better at strengthening the spleen.

Origin

全國廣泛栽培；湖南、安徽、河南為主產地 — Australian Asian grocers stock small Chinese-brand packs (Henghui white flat beans); origin not named on listings

Availability in Australia

Common at Asian grocers · A$1.99–1.99 / 100g
Henghui Premium White Flat Beans 150g $2.99

Pairs well with

Kudzu root Rice bean Winter melon

Soups that use this ingredient · 3

Winter melon, Job's tears and lotus leaf soup with pork ribsNot yet surveyed (we say so honestly)

冬瓜薏米荷葉排骨湯

clears heatdispels dampnesspromotes water metabolismSummer

街市Winter melon· 900 g (1.5 catties)百子櫃Job's tears / coix seed· 75 g百子櫃Lotus leaf· half a sheet百子櫃White hyacinth bean· 40 g (1 tael)街市Pork spare ribs· 600 g百子櫃Candied honey date· 2… +1

“The pot for damp weather.”

Kudzu and smilax (tuckahoe) damp-clearing soup with pork bonesNot yet surveyed (we say so honestly)

粉葛土茯苓赤小豆豬骨湯

clears heatdispels dampnesspromotes water metabolismSpringSummer

百子櫃Smilax rhizome (tu fu ling)· 40 g (1 tael), dried百子櫃Kudzu root· 600 g (1 catty)百子櫃Rice bean· 75 g百子櫃White hyacinth bean· 40 g (1 tael)街市Pork bones (femur / blade)· 600 g百子櫃Candied honey date· 2… +1

“The pot for damp weather.”

Kudzu root, rice bean and hyacinth bean soup with daceNot yet surveyed (we say so honestly)

粉葛赤小豆扁豆鯪魚湯

clears heatdispels dampnesscools internal fireSpringAll year

百子櫃Kudzu root· 600 g (1 catty)百子櫃Rice bean· 60 g (2 taels, as given in the source)百子櫃White hyacinth bean· 60 g (2 taels, as given in the source)街市Mud carp· 1, about 400 g街市Lean pork· 300 g街市Carrot· 1… +3

“The pot for damp weather.”