Ling Mountain Winged Bean

Ling Mountain Winged Bean

　　Ling Mountain Winged Bean

　　　　The winged bean, also known as the goa bean, four-cornered bean, tropical soybean, or star bean, is native to tropical Africa and Southeast Asia. The entire plant is highly valuable — it serves not only as a nutrient-rich vegetable but also as a new source of protein-rich food.

　　　　The protein and fat content in winged bean seeds is comparable to that of soybeans in both quantity and quality. Its tender pods, fresh beans, young leaves, and flowers also have high nutritional value. The winged bean also offers certain medicinal benefits: its seeds can help treat coronary heart disease, arteriosclerosis, and cerebral vascular sclerosis, while its tuberous roots, which have cooling properties, are used to treat oral inflammation, urinary tract infections, and high fever. The protein content in the stems and leaves of the winged bean is several times higher than that of common green fodder. When crushed, it makes for an excellent animal feed and can also serve as a substrate for growing mushrooms.

　　　　Ling Mountain County has a long history of winged bean cultivation, with the current planting area covering nearly 10,000 acres. The beans grown here are large, thick, and crispy, making them especially suitable for processing. Among these, pickled winged beans are the most famous, selling well across the country and, like Qinzhou cucumber peel, representing a uniquely flavorful local snack in Qinzhou.