Yanjin Broad Beans

Yanjin Broad Beans

　　      Broad beans, also referred to as "hudou" in counties such as Yanjin, Daguan, Yiliang, and Zhenxiong, are an annual herbaceous leguminous plant. They have square, hollow, and ridged stems, pinnate compound leaves, and produce white or pale purple flowers with purple spots in spring, which grow in leaf axils. The pods are thick and spindle-shaped, while the seeds are flat and oval. They can be eaten raw in the fields during harvest season, with a slightly sweet taste.       Broad beans hold significant economic value and are highly nutritious. Each kilogram contains 282 grams of protein, 8 grams of fat, 490 grams of starch, along with various inorganic salts such as calcium, iron, and phosphorus, as well as multiple vitamins. (Zhaotong)