Yardlong Bean (Mature Seeds)

Yardlong bean seeds are the fully mature, dried seeds harvested from the same plant that produces the familiar long green pods. Once dried, these small, kidney-shaped beans are closely related to black-eyed peas and cowpeas, and can be used interchangeably with them in many recipes.

They’re a staple pulse in parts of Southeast Asia, South Asia, and Africa, appearing in curries, stews, and rice dishes. Like other dried legumes, they need soaking before cooking and become tender and slightly starchy when simmered. They have a mild, earthy flavour that takes well to spices.

They’re less commonly found in mainstream Australian supermarkets but are available at Asian and Indian grocery stores, sometimes labelled as long bean seeds or bora seeds.