Urad (Black Matpe)

Vigna mungo, the black gram or urad bean s a bean cultivated from ancient times and is one of the most highly prized pulses of India. Ayurveda describes black gram or Masha as a bean that is sweet to taste but hot in potency, that can calm down and regularize the imbalances caused due to Vata. his crop is extensively grown in southern part of India, northern part of Bangladesh and Nepal. Black gram has also been introduced to other tropical areas such as the Caribbean, Fiji, Mauritius, Myanmar and Africa. India is the world's largest producer as well as consumer of blackgram.

Vigna mungo is popular in India, largely used to make dal from the whole or split and dehusked seeds. The bean is boiled and eaten whole or, after splitting, made into dal; prepared like this it has an unusual mucilaginous texture. It is also extensively used in Indian culinary preparations such as  Medu vada, idli, dosa, ladoos, Kachoris, pakodas etc.Black gram contains high levels of protein, potassium, calcium, iron, niacin, Thiamine, and riboflavin. Urad dal is in fact, the only pulse that has more than 10 times of phosphorous than any other pulse and the unique type of protein present in black grams strengthen muscle fibers.