The long, tender pods of the Cowpea are a significant vegetable, especially in South East Asia and Africa, as the plants tolerate heat and drought very well. The Yardlong Bean originates from Africa and has already been known in Europe since antiquity, long before today's garden bean was imported from South America.
The pods of this Asian breed can reach up to one metre! As a tropical plant, the bean needs a little bit more warmth. Growing in the greenhouse or in large pots is ideal.
On the white beans, you can see a black eye, which is why it's also called black-eyed pea. In Brazil, the beans are processed into dough, deep-fried, and sold as a snack as "Acarajé". Furthermore, apart from the boiled beans, the leaves can also be eaten as spinach. However, in practice, only the fresh pods of this variety are consumed.
Vigna unguiculata seeds, content: Approx. 20 Cowpea seeds
The yardlong been is a creeper and can grow up to 2m high. Preculture from mid-April. Germination temperature: 20 °C. Can be planted in the greenhouse, field or as a container plant. In warm viticulture climates, it can also be sown directly outdoors. Seeds of legumes often germinate a lot better when they are allowed to pre-soak in water for several hours.
Other names
| Botanical name: |
Vigna unguiculata ssp. sesquipedalis, V. catjang, V. sinensis, Dolichos biflorus, Liebrechtsia scabra, Phaseolus unguiculatus |
| German names: |
Schlangenbohne, Spargelbohne, Catjanbohne, Augenbohne, Kuhbohne, Schwarzaugenbohne, Meterbohne |
| French names: |
Haricot Asperge, Pois Kilomètre, Haricot Vert Chinois, Dolique À Longue Cosse, Dolique À Longues Gousses, Dolic Asperge |
| English names: |
Black-Eyed Pea, Southern Pea, Yardlong Bean, Catjang, Crowder Pea |
| Spanish names: |
Caupí, Carilla, Judía de Careta, Frijol de Carita, Chíchere, Chícharo Salvaje, Fríjol Chino, Fríjol Cabecita Negra, Frijol Castilla, Poroto Tape, Judía Espárrago, Dólico de Aceite Negro |
