Urad Sabut (Black Gram)

Produce of India: The main areas of production being Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Maharashtra, west Bengal, Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka. India is the world’s largest producer as well as consumer of black gram.

History: The Black Gram (Vigna mungo) is a small legume related to the cowpea and mung bean. Black Gram originated in ancient India, where it is still a staple component of the diet and is interchangeably called “urad dal.” Black gram also has significance in Indian traditional medicine, or “Ayurveda.” Ayurvedic practitioners prescribe it to help increase male sexual vigor, strengthen the nervous system and act as an anti-inflammatory.

Active Ingredient: Flavonol and Anthocyanin glycosides are active ingredients in black gram. It contains about 26% protein. It has antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antiviral properties.

You can also ground urad into flour and use it to add protein when making bread.
Urad dal can also be used as the main ingredient of dishes like idli and dosa. These are fermented cakes made from rice and dals.
It is used to cook dals, soups, curries, stews and side dishes.
Black gram can also be used to make homemade face packs to treat skin problems like acne.