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Yard Long bean | Snake bean

Tua Fak Yaow | ถั่วฝักยาว | Vigna unguiculata subsp. sesquipedalis

Family: Fabaceae | Genus: Vigna


Long beans can be found in the organic vegetable garden of the Thai Child Development Foundation.

 

The yard long bean is a vegetable cultivated for its edible green pods containing immature seeds, like the green bean. It is also known as the snake bean, or pea bean.


The plant is grown for its strikingly long (35 to 75 centimeters immature green pods and has uses very similar to those of the green bean. It is a vigorous climbing annual vine. The plant is subtropical/tropical.


The beans can be harvested all year long, but less in the rainy season.


 

The papaya is a small, sparsely branched tree, usually with a single stem growing from 5 to 10 meter tall, with spirally arranged leaves confined to the top of the trunk. The lower trunk is usually scarred where leaves and fruit were borne. All parts of the plant contain latex.
Vine

THE SHRUB/VINE

The long bean is grown for its strikingly long (35 to 75 centimeters ) immature green pods and has uses very similar to those of the green bean.

It is a vigorous climbing annual vine. The plant is subtropical/tropical.




 

The leaves of the papaya are large, 50-70 cm in diameter, with seven lobes.
Leaf

THE LEAVES

The compound leaves are bright green, with three heart-shaped leaflets.

Young leaves are edible.




 


The flowers are five-parted; the male flowers have the stamens fused to the petals. The female flowers have a superior ovary and five contorted petals loosely connected at the base. The flowers are sweet-scented, open at night, and wind- or insect-pollinated.
FLOWER

THE FLOWERS

The plants bloom with a pair of large white or purple flowers. Once pollinated, the flowers are followed by tiny dark green beans that reach 12 inches long in only a few days.






 
The flowers are five-parted; the male flowers have the stamens fused to the petals. The female flowers have a superior ovary and five contorted petals loosely connected at the base. The flowers are sweet-scented, open at night, and wind- or insect-pollinated.
PODS

THE PODS

The pods, which can begin to form just 60 days after sowing, hang in groups of two or more. They are used as vegetable when they are picked before they reach full maturity; however, overlooked mature pods can be used like dry beans.




 

CULINARY USES

The crisp, tender pods are eaten both fresh and cooked. They are at their best when young and slender. They are sometimes cut into short sections for cooking uses.


In Thailand the long beans can be found in numerous curries and stir fried dishes, and of course in the famous Som Tam. Click on the link of the Food Forest Kitchen Restaurant to find some recipes.



 

NUTRITION

They are a good source of protein, vitamin A, thiamin, riboflavin, iron, phosphorus, and potassium, and a very good source for vitamin C, folate, magnesium, and manganese. A serving of 100 grams of yardlong beans contains 47 calories, 0 g of total fat, 4 mg sodium (0% daily value), 8 g of total carbohydrates (2% daily value), and 3 g of protein (5% daily value).

 

TRADITIONAL MEDICINAL USE


NOTE: please take advice from a doctor if you are planning to use herbal medicine.


Long beans are used in traditional Chinese medicine to treat kidney and stomach disorders.


 

INTO THE WILD: a down to earth experience

For guests and visitors to Paksong we organize weekly tours "The Edible Forest" and Foraging weekends: Into the Wild. We work with local guides to take you in the jungle of Paksong. After foraging, we will cook a meal with the ingredients, using bamboo together with you!


Come and join and learn about the abundance of food that nature gives us!


INTO THE WILD!

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