Green Mung Beans: 5 Fantastic Uses For This Herb

Green Mung Beans (绿豆), also known as Lu Dou, Luk Dou, Moong Bean or Green Gram are a popular ingredient across the Eastern world. 

So, here are 5 easy ways to use Green Mung Beans in some vibrant culinary dishes and herbal teas... 

What are Green Mung Beans?

Having been a part of Chinese cuisine for thousands of years, Green Mung Beans are predominantly featured in both sweet and savoury dishes.

These versatile herbs are native to Asia, Europe and some regions of the USA, and are extremely popular in India where they are used to make Dahl. 

Eating Green Mung Beans are also a key component of a vegan, vegetarian or flexitarian diet. 

What are Some Potential Benefits of Green Mung Beans?

Being naturally high in potassium, fibre, magnesium and vitamins (B&C), plus low in fat and calories, consuming this herb as part of your diet may benefit:

• Digestive issues/sensitive stomachs
• Anti-aging
• Improving brain/mental function
• Reduce the presence of wrinkles, age spots & lines
• Add radiance to the skin
• Help hair look shiny to maintain scalp health
• Increase the digestive and metabolic rate of the body
• Help control cholesterol and heart disease
• Act as an anti-inflammatory 
• Aid weight loss 

How Can I Use These in My Daily Routine?

As promised, here are 5 easy ways to start including green mung beans as part of your routine.

1) Raw Form

Subtly simple, benefit-boosting raw mung beans make for a great mid-morning snack to help manage hunger levels throughout the day. 

Just a handful of beans is a perfect portion for you to enjoy! 

2) Green Bean & Liquorice Root Tea

 

Combining two authentic ingredients into one delightful herbal tea, here's how to create this sip of magic.

What You'll Need

• 1/4 cup green mung beans
• 3 slices dried liquorice root
• Boiled water
• 2 tsp raw sugar (white or brown)

Method

1. Rinse all ingredients under running water to remove residue
2. Combine all herbs into a large pot and add the boiled water 
3. Cover the pot and boil on a high heat for 15 minutes 
4. After this time, lower the heat to medium-low for a further 30 minutes
5. Remove from heat and stir in your sugar of choice
6. Strain the tea into a fresh cup 
7. Serve and enjoy!

3) Pomegranate & Mung Bean Salad

A great summertime option for a healthy, light lunch. Combining a couple of other authentic Chinese herbs, here's how to whip up this delicious dish...

What You'll Need

• 2 cups green mung beans
• 2 cups fresh pomegranates
• 1 tbsp honey 
• 1 tsp oil 
• Handful of rocket salad leaves (garnish) 
• Pinch of salt
• Pinch of pepper 
• 2 tbsp black vinegar

Method

1. Mix together the black vinegar, honey, salt and pepper in a large salad bowl
2. Add in the green mung beans and fresh pomegranates and mix together
3. Drizzle any additional salad dressing on top of your choice
4. Garnish the salad with a handful of rocket salad leaves 
5. Serve and enjoy!

4) Green Mung Bean Soup

Calling all soup lovers, you've arrived at your destination! Here's how to create this warming bowl of yumminess. 

What You'll Need

• 2 cups green mung beans
• 6 cups vegetable broth
• 1 diced onion
• 2 garlic cloves 
• 6 cups vegetable broth
• 2 tbsp dried ginger root (grated)
• 1 cup celery
• 1 can of coconut milk
• 3 cups fresh spinach
• Pinch of salt and pepper to taste 

Method

1. Rinse the mung beans in cold water to remove any residue
2. Add these to a large pot with the vegetable broth, and bring to the boil on a high heat 
3. After this, reduce the heat and continue to simmer for 30-40 minutes 
4. Whilst you wait for these to cook, heat some oil in a separate pan over a medium heat, and add the onion, garlic, grated ginger and celery to cook for around 5 minutes
5. Add the vegetables into the pot of mung beans once sauteed, then add the coconut milk and spinach 
6. Allow this mix to simmer until all ingredients has combined 
7. Serve and enjoy! 

5) Crab Stick & Mung Bean Mini Dessert

Perfect to round off this collection, it would be fitting to end with a vibrant dessert option ideal for parties and small gatherings.

What You'll Need

• 1/4 cup green mung beans
• 1/4 cup dried coix seeds
• 3 crab sticks
• 1 sweetcorn stick
• 1 celery stick
• Coriander (for garnish) 
• Pinch of salt

Method

1. Re-hydrate the coix seeds in boiling water until soft, then allow to cool
2. Grab a small glass (shot glass size) and add the coix seeds first, then green mung beans on top
3. Layer with 3 small crab sticks
4. Place the sweetcorn stick and celery sticks in the top 
5. Garnish with a small piece of coriander
6. Sprinkle a little salt on top to taste 
7. Serve and enjoy!

Where Can I Find Green Mung Beans?

This herb is available in the following quantity to use in your everyday routine:

Green Mung Beans 绿豆 (Lu Dou) | (100g)

Summary

Now that you've got some scrumptious ideas of how to use this versatile herb, we're excited to see you impress your friends and family with your mung bean knowledge!

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For any further queries regarding our herbs or any of our products, please email info@vitaherbalnutrition.com and we'll be happy to help.