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Cowpeas (Vigna unguiculata), also called blackeyed peas,
are known as lobiya in India. The crop originated in Africa, probably
in the southeast, and has been cultivated for five millennia.
Cowpea is a warm season crop that grows well in tropical and temperate
zones. It can tolerate heat well and is also quite drought resistant,
but it is intolerant of frost.
The seed coat can be either smooth or wrinkled and of various colours,
including white, cream, green, buff, red, brown, and black. The
seed may also be speckled, mottled, or blotchy. The seed coat sometimes
consists of a white-coloured hilum that is surrounded by another
colour.
The plant is known for its drought and shade tolerance, the former
due to its tendency to form a tap root, the latter making it especially
well suited to intercropping. It is also a good crop for sandy soil.
Cowpeas are a good source of protein, thiamine, iron, zinc, magnesium,
phosphorus, potassium, copper, folate and manganese.
Nutrition information
|
Per 100g |
Carbohydrates
|
61g |
| - |
Dietary fibre
|
17g |
| - |
Sugars
|
11g |
Protein
|
19g |
Fat
|
6g |
| - |
Saturated fatty acids
|
1g |
Cholesterol
|
0mg |
Vitamin C
|
4mg |
Calcium
|
105mg |
Iron
|
6.2mg |
Energy
|
346kcal |
Nutrition data from USDA SR-21.
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