Hyacinth Bean (Dolichos lablab)

[obsessed]

The herb society told me that the flowers are editable. They taste just like peas and would make a great addition to a salad.

 

[injunjoe]

The herb society told me that the flowers are editable. They taste just like peas and would make a great addition to a salad.

Thank you O.
I have also read that the young leaves are good in a salad.
The older leaves can be cooked. The beans have a strong bean flavor and is often mixed with other beans.

Sad part is the nice color is lost during cooking.

Joe

 

[cwhit590]

I grew Hyacinth Bean last year. It took awhile to get going but the flowers and pods were very showy.

I sampled the flowers and bean pods raw...I liked the fresh flowers best. Very sweet...they would be good mixed in a salad. Older flowers....eh...not so great tasting. I thought the bean pods (raw) tasted like grass...

 

[injunjoe]

Welcome to TEG.
My plants are still small but the colors are great!
I cant wait for the flowers.

Joe

 

[Ridgerunner]

Thanks for this post. I was looking for a good plant for a trellis yet to be designed or built and this looks like a great candidate. Fast growing, beautiful, yet edible. Because of this warning on Ron's link, I will not plant it around the chicken run.

WARNING
Dry seeds should be well cooked in two changes of water before eating. Raw dry seeds are poisonous and can cause vomiting, labored breathing, and even convulsions and unconsciousness.

 

[cwhit590]

Welcome to TEG.
My plants are still small but the colors are great!
I cant wait for the flowers.

Joe

Wow...being able to plant now...must be nice! Winter is on its way here.

 

[injunjoe]

Wow...being able to plant now...must be nice! Winter is on its way here.

I hope they grow fast enough to collect more seed for spring.
I was just looking and of the five seeds I planted two are about 10" tall now. looking at them I noticed one more has just sprouted.
That makes 3 out 5 so far. I think that is pretty good.

Joe