Songyang Dahongpao Red Beans

Songyang Dahongpao Red Beans

　　Songyang Dahongpao Red Beans, a legume species. Introduced and cultivated in 1937 by the Zhejiang Agricultural Improvement Institute (predecessor of the Zhejiang Academy of Agricultural Sciences). The plant is of a dwarf type with trifoliate leaves; it has a long taproot and a well-developed root system. It is drought-resistant and tolerant of poor soils, and prefers cool weather during flowering and pod formation. The pods are slender, and the seeds are cylindrical, deep red in color, hard and translucent when dried, and easy to cook, with a fine, soft, and moist texture. Rich in protein, B vitamins, and minerals such as calcium and magnesium, it is an excellent ingredient for making red bean paste. It can also be used medicinally, with benefits including promoting urination and eliminating dampness, harmonizing blood and discharging pus, reducing swelling, and detoxifying. (Songyang)