Legume

Vigna angularis

S tier

Vigna angularis is the adzuki (azuki) bean—small red beans central to East Asian sweets as anko paste, also eaten savoury in rice and soups. Species-level identity separates true adzuki from other small red pulses. Flavour is sweet-earthy; skins can be slightly astringent if undercooked. Soak and simmer for whole beans; cook soft for paste sweetened with sugar. When a product says adzuki, it should be this species. Shoppers meeting Vigna angularis for the first time should taste it plain before masking it; the Small Red Pulse profile is easier to remember that way.