Black gram originated in India where it has been in cultivation from ancient times and is one of the most highly prized pulses of India. It has also been introduced to other tropical areas mainly by Indian immigrants. It is an erect, sub-erect or trailing, densely hairy annual herb. The tap root produces a branched root system with smooth, rounded nodules. The pods are narrow, cylindrical and up to 6 cm long. The bean is boiled and eaten whole or after splitting into dal; prepared like this it has an unusual mucilaginous texture. Ground into flour or paste, it is also extensively used in culinary preparation like dosa, idli, vada, and papad. When used this way, the white lentils are usually used.
Black gram also known as
Language | Ingredient Name |
---|---|
Bangali | Mash kalair dal |
Gujarati | Alad |
Hindi | Urad dal |
Kannada | Udina bele |
Kashmiri | Maha |
Malyalam | Uzhunnu parippu |
Marathi | Uddachi dal |
Oriya | Biri |
Tamil | Ulutham parippu |
Telugu | Minapa pappu |