Kurakake-mame

Kurakake-mame (Glycine max "Kurakake") is a type of green soybean in the soybean family, Fabaceae. The seed coat has two patterns, black and green, like a saddle on a horse. It is grown as a local vegetable in Nagano Prefecture. Sown from May to July, kurakake-mame is a late-season bean that produces purple flowers from May to August, ripens in late October, and is harvested in November. The seeds inside the pods are oblong in shape, and the seed coat is green with black saddle-shaped patches. They are edible and are eaten boiled in salted water or as soaked beans (nimame). They have a crunchy texture and a nori flavor. They are rich in dietary fiber and vitamin B6.

Origin of Japanese name
Kurakake-mame is a member of the Fabaceae family. It is also called "Kurakake-mame" because of the pattern of a black saddle(Japanese name:Kura) on a horse's back(kake), and "Nori-mame" because of its similarity in taste to laver(nori seaweed).

Common name: Kurakake-mame, scientific name: Glycine max "Kurakake", also known as Hitashi-mame (soaked bean), Nori‐mame (seaweed bean), Kurakake-daizu (soybean), Flowering type: Annual, Origin: Japan, China, Seed color: green; Sowing season: May to July; Flowering season: May to August; Flower color: purple; Ripening season: late October; Harvesting season: November; Bean shape: oblong to flat; Seed coat color: green with black spots; Navel color: black; Food use: boiled in salt or soaked in soy sauce ( Edible: boiled in salted water or soaked (boiled beans).

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