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Cluster Beans (Gawar Phali)

Also Known As : Lond bean, Gavar bean, Guwar bean, Guvar bean
Technical Name : Cyamopsis tetragonoloba
Can Eat 0

Vegetarian

Taste Profile

Cluster beans have a slightly bitter taste.

Usage Tips

  1. Cluster beans can be used for sautéing, stir-frying, and roasting.
  2. They taste great when added to dals, stir-fries, curries and rice preparations.
  3. Fresh cluster beans can be stored in the refrigerator, unwashed for up to three to four days.
  4. It is best to wrap them in a paper towel or put them in a paper bag while storing them.
  5. Avoid to store them in plastic bags as moisture in the beans will cause spoilage.

Common names and forms

  1. Guar (Lond bean)
  2. Phali

Description

Cluster beans are legumes small to medium in size, which are long and narrow with tapered ends. They are green-coloured when immature and yellow-green when immature. They have a slightly slimy and soft texture and inside the pods are clustered seeds around 5-12 in number which can range in color from black, white, grey, to pink. It grows in hot and arid regions and has its origins in Africa and the Middle East. The Arabs used to feed cluster beans to their horses, then traders introduced cluster beans to different pasts of the world. The mature pods are dried and powdered to make a flour known as guar gum which is used as a thickening agent in various food products. Cluster beans are available all through the year, with peak season in the late fall season.

Health benefits

  • Cluster Beans being a good source of phosphorus and calcium helps build strong bones.(1)
  • They are rich in folic acid, thus recommended to pregnant women to prevent any neural tube defects in the unborn baby.(1)
  • Being rich in fibre it stimulates bowel movement hence helping in smooth defaecation and prevents constipation.(1)

Selection Guide

Choose cluster beans when immature so that they are tender and crisp or else the mature ones are tough and fibrous.

Note

Too much consumption of cluster beans may cause digestive distress like abdominal pain, flatulence due to high fibre ingestion.(2)

Resource & Links

(1) https://www.healthbenefitstimes.com/cluster-beans/

(2) https://www.lybrate.com/topic/cluster-beans-gawar-phali-benefits-and-side-effects

- Disclaimer
"Information here is provided for discussion and educational purposes only. It is not intended as medical advice or product or ingredient review/rating. The information may not apply to you and before you use or take any action, you should contact the manufacturer, seller, medical, dietary, fitness or other professional. If you utilize any information provided here, you do so at your own risk and you waive any right against Culinary Communications Private Limited, its affiliates, officers, directors, employees or representatives.”