AFRICAN HONEY BEANS
Growing up, most kids like me disliked beans, till date, some kids can’t stand the thought of eating beans at home, to talk of having it at lunch in school. Beans was stereotyped a “Poor mans” food growing up, even now. Funny, because I can recall it been more expensive than rice. We would only consider eating beans mostly after our seniors will say “if you don’t eat beans, you will remain short” I’m guessing no kid wants to be short.
African Honey Beans?
African honey beans is native to Nigeria, unlike blacked eye beans it is sweeter when cooked without any additives like palm oil, sugar which the Yoruba Clan in Nigeria like to use to prepare it. These beans can be enjoyed by just boiling with onion and salt only. African honey beans is widely known as “Oloyin” in most Nigerian market with it’s original name from the Yoruba’s.
I remember back in my college days, I had male neighbors who will serve me a bowl of their incomparable rice and blacked eye beans mixture with fish stew. Rice and beans is popularly known as “Waakye” in Ghana and most of West Africa. Waakye is a popular street food in most part of West Africa, including Nigeria. Each time my neighbor friends served me this rice and beans combo, I would consider opting for blacked eye beans, which is prominent in Benin Republic. But my love for African Honey beans prompted me to head for the chaotic “Seme Boarder” in search of this native beans.
Versality?
In Nigeria, African Honey beans can be processed into different staple foods like Akara, Moi Moi, Ewa ogoyin, Rice and Beans ,Beans and Plantain, Beans and Garri, Beans and Bread, Beans and Yam, Beans and Pap.
Akara?
This is one of the most popular street food in Nigeria. It is usually prepared and sold during the evening and night time where we have market women, white collar jobs and other night returnees coming in from work, stopping by to grab some bites of the street food for home. I remember heading to the bus-stop, some evening and not meeting “Akara” in the table where the seller would shade it, at her food stand, due to the high demand of the street delicacy. Sources, have it, that this street food stand sellers build their houses doing this lucrative job.
Moi Moi?
During, our monthly Igbo Association meeting in U.S. Guest are usually served a takeaway plate that usually consist of Nigerian Party rice Mix like Jollof-rice, fried rice, Moi Moi, fish and beef. I’m often disappointed each time I open my party mix rice bowl and I don’t see the reddish looking bean pudding inside. A well-garnished Moi Moi contains Red bell pepper, Scotch bonnet pepper, onion, peeled African honey beans. The Red peppers are key to the redness of the Moi Moi. Personally, I add “Titus fish” also known as Mackerel to my Moi Moi during preparation, the extra flavor Titus brings to Moi Moi is on “ Another level”. Some people add chicken, turkey, smoked fish, boiled eggs depending on personal preference.
Nutritional Value?
1) It is a Generous source of Protein
2) It contains antioxidants
3) It contains folate
4) It helps control appetite
5) It improves gut health.
In conclusion?
Beans is enjoyed all-over the world in different species. In Nigeria,it can be combined and eaten in different forms as mentioned earlier. WHICH FORM OF THIS AFRICAN FOOD WOULD YOU BE TRYING?
