Avaraikai (Broad Beans)

Broad beans, also known as Avaraikai in Tamil, are a nutrient-dense food rich in protein, fiber, vitamins A and C, potassium, and iron. Avaraikai, also called flat beans, are tender with small seeds and have a pale green color. They can be cooked whole like French beans.

Mochaikai resembles Avaraikai but is dark green in color and has a pod-like green pea appearance. To use Mochaikai in cooking, the pods must be peeled, and the seeds, known as “Pachai Mochai Kottai,” must be removed. Mochaikai is typically available from December to January.

Tender Avaraikai is considered a healthy addition to “Pathiya Sappaadu.” A variety of dishes can be made with Avaraikai, including sambar, kootu, poriyal, poricha kuzhambu, and puzhi kuzhambu.

 

Recipes made with Avaraikkai

  • Broad Beans Poriyal (Avarakkai Poriyal)

    Difficulty: Easy

    This broad beans poriyal also known as Avarakkai poriyal is made with broad beans, green gram dhal, sambar powder and coconut gratings. You can also add some curry powder to give a different flavor.

  • Avarakkai Thuvattal

    Difficulty: Easy

    Thuvattal dishes are usually served as a side dish for rice or as a snack. This Thuvattal is made with Avaraikkai (Broad beans).

  • Avaraikai Puzhi Kootu

    Cooks in 70 minutesDifficulty: Easy

    A kootu made with avaraikai and tamarind

  • Mixed Veg Poricha Kuzhambu

    Difficulty: Easy

    A poricha kuzhambu made with mixed vegetables like Chow chow, green brinjal, broad beans and capsicum.

4 Comments

  1. Seenu Srinivasan

    Kamala,

    You have a great website!
    I have a question about Avaraikkai. We don’t get good quality avaraikkai in San Antonio, Texas. Where I can get the really broad avaraikkai seeds? I remember when I was a young boy in Coimbatore, we used to get a very broad variety with purple hue and edges. I believe this is widely available in Tamil Nadu, but not anywhere else.

    Seenu Srinivasan

  2. What is the Latin and English name for avaraikai and mochaikai?

    How to tell the difference between the two by looking at it from the outside?

    Seenu I find the Indian vegetables in the USA to be awful quality. Are the beans sold where you live old? Same with frozen?

    • Avaraikai is called Broad Beans in English. I am not sure about Latin name. Mochai Kai is called Field Beans in English. Both are look like same, but the outer skin of the avaraikai is soft and edible, whereas Mochai Kai skin is tough and not edible (like green peas cover).

      • just saw your posting ..delicious dishes..

        Avarakai is called Dolichos lablab or Lablab bean. mochai is Field bean but am not 100 % sure of its botanical name !!
        that is why i am searching ,your distintion though is correct !!

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