Moth bean

Vigna aconitifolia · Legume

40 pairings

The moth bean (Vigna aconitifolia), known in India as matki or moth, is a small, drought-hardy legume grown across the arid plains of South Asia. Its tiny, oblong yellow-brown to olive seeds are eaten dried, boiled into curries and dals, sprouted, or milled into flour for snacks such as bhujia.

Picking a good onedrag

Sound dry seed, even and cleanDamp, musty or bored through

Shop stockThe ordinary packet of matki. Soak it, then simmer or pressure-cook until soft right through for dal, usal and misal.Everyday best

The seedEven colour, the sheen flat, a few chipped seeds

In the handHard and free-running, a little chaff and dust

Smell of the dry grainNearly neutral, a plain dry-store note

What to look for, from sound dry seed, even and clean to damp, musty or bored through.

Preparing