What is mung bean?

Mung beans (Vigna radiata) belong to the legume family. They have been cultivated since ancient times. Native to India, mung beans are mainly cultivated in China, Thailand, Philippines, Vietnam, Indonesia, Burma, Bangladesh, and India, but also in hot and dry regions of southern Europe and the southern USA.

The beans are small, ovoid in shape, and green in color. These beans have a slightly sweet taste and are sold fresh, as sprouts or as dried beans.

Mung beans are an excellent source of dietary fiber and offer 12 grams of plant-based proteins per 1/4 cup serving. They’re also a good source of complex carbohydrates and iron, and dry mung beans are packed with vitamins and minerals, including essential amino acids such as lysine.

Many research suggests that mung beans may have several potential health benefits, including: antioxidant effects, antifungal and antimicrobial activity, anti-inflammatory activity, diabetes, hypertension.

Cellophane noodles are a type of transparent noodle made from starch mung bean. Chinese varieties made from mung bean starch are called Chinese vermicelli, bean threads, or bean thread noodles.
What is mung bean?

Cellophane noodles

Cellophane noodles are made from the starch of mung beans, potatoes, sweet potatoes, and/or tapioca. Cellophane noodles are long, gelatinous, clear like glass once they're cooked. The noodles also called glass noodles.

They can be found dried in Asian specialty markets or in the Asian foods section of the supermarket.

Cellophane noodles should not be confused with rice vermicelli, which are made from rice and are white in color rather than clear. Rice vermicelli is also always a solid white and doesn't have the transparency of cellophane noodles.

These noodles taste similar to wheat pasta, but they’re slightly softer and heavier than, say, angel hair pasta, which is their closest Italian relative in shape and size.

Cooked cellophane noodles have a gelatinous texture, and though they don’t have much flavor of their own, they absorb sauces and broths extremely well.

Cellophane noodles are sugar-free, hence may be a great option for people suffering from diabetes. Cellophane noodles are a versatile food item that is used in many dishes like spring rolls, salads, soups, hot pots and stir-fried dishes. Cellophane noodles can be served hot, tepid, or cold. Hot glass noodles are found in soups and hot pot to give the dishes some heft and starchy notes.
Cellophane noodles