Mung beans, also known as moong dal, green gram, or golden gram, are small green legumes that are popular in many Asian cuisines. Their nutty flavor and soft texture make them a versatile ingredient when split and cooked. If you want to start cooking with mung beans, you first need to know where to buy them. Here’s a guide to sourcing this nutritious legume.
Check Asian Grocery Stores
The best place to find mung beans is at your local Asian supermarket. These specialty grocers cater to cuisines that frequently use mung beans like Indian Chinese, Thai, Vietnamese, Korean and more. They are sure to carry various types of mung beans.
Look for a well-stocked Asian grocer in your area Search for stores specializing in Indian ingredients to find the largest mung bean selection, Browse the dried bean aisle for bags labeled “moong dal” or “mung beans”, You’ll likely find several varieties including
- Whole mung beans with skins on
- Split mung beans with skins removed
- Yellow split mung beans without skins (moong dal)
- Small green split mung beans (matpe beans)
For Indian cuisine, choose skins-on whole mung beans to make sprouts. Grab yellow moong dal for dals and curries. Get matpe beans for soups. The grocer staff can guide you if you’re unsure.
Shopping at Asian stores ensures you get authentic, high-quality mung beans and the exact type you need. The turnover is quick so products are fresh. Prices are very affordable too.
Look in the Bulk Section
Many regular supermarkets now have a dedicated bulk food section. The health food and specialty stores like Whole Foods or Sprouts also have extensive bulk selections. These areas often carry mung beans.
Check the large bins for bags of dried whole or split mung beans. Scoop some into a bag and purchase just the amount you need. This allows you to buy small quantities to start with.
However, turnover of bulk bins can be slow. Inspect mung beans closely for any dirt, debris, or stale beans before purchasing. Shop stores with frequent bulk restocking for the freshest products.
Order Online
If you can’t find mung beans locally, ordering them online is convenient. Many sites offer a wide array of mung bean types that may not be available in stores near you.
Amazon, Nuts.com, Walmart.com, and WebRestaurantStore all carry various mung bean products. You can buy in small quantities for home cooking needs.
Opt for whole dried mung beans to make sprouts. Choose split and peeled beans for cooking. Read customer reviews to pick high-quality beans from top suppliers.
The downside is paying shipping costs. But the huge selection and doorstep delivery is worth it for hard-to-find ingredients.
Purchase from Indian Grocery Sites
Ordering directly from Indian grocery e-commerce sites is smart. You gain access to authentic spices, lentils and mung beans straight from the source.
Sites like iShopIndian.com, IGourmet.com, and MySpicer.com have excellent mung bean selections. You can precisely choose regional bean varieties best suited for specific Indian dishes.
Shop their combo packs of multiple mung bean types to sample different forms like powders, splits, and sprouting beans. This helps you determine your favorites.
Grow Your Own
If you have the patience, growing mung bean sprouts at home is rewarding. Simply purchase mung bean seeds and follow sprouting directions.
Home sprouting produces the freshest, most nutritious results. Tailor the growing process to your preferred sprout size and shape. It takes 3-5 days but needs minimal effort.
Buy organic mung bean seeds online or at garden supply stores. Ensure seeds are intended for sprouting, not planting. Then start your indoor sprout farm!
Check Natural Food Stores
Local health food markets and co-ops may have mung beans, especially if they sell in bulk. With the rise of plant-based eating, many natural grocers now carry unique legumes.
Contact the store first to check if mung beans are currently in stock. Then inspect the packaging date to ensure freshness when you visit to purchase them.
Staff at these stores are very knowledgeable. Ask questions to determine if their mung bean selection will work for your recipes.
How to Store Mung Beans
To extend shelf life, store mung beans in an airtight container in a cool, dry place away from light. Whole beans keep for up to one year. Split beans keep for up to six months.
For long-term storage, consider freezing mung beans. Portion beans into amounts for single recipes, then freeze in sealed bags or airtight containers. They’ll keep for up to six months frozen.
When ready to use, rinse and pick through mung beans to remove any debris or imperfect beans. Then cook according to your recipe. Enjoy these versatile legumes in many dishes!
With these tips, locating high-quality mung beans for cooking is simple. Asian grocers offer the widest variety and authenticity, while ordering online gives you maximum convenience. Soon you’ll be whipping up delicious Indian dals, sprouts and more. Happy mung bean cooking!
Mung Beans Near MeBuy your favorite Mung Beans online with Instacart. Order Mung Beans from local and national retailers near you and enjoy on-demand, contactless delivery or pickup within 2 hours.
- Turning on notifications for the Instacart app
- Keep an eye out for calls and texts from your Instacart shopper.”
- Giving people helpful directions on how to park, gate codes, or other ways to find your house
- Delivery fees start at $3. 99 for same-day orders over $35. There are different prices for deliveries within an hour, to club stores, and for deliveries under $35.
- Service fees depend on where you are and the number and types of items in your cart, among other things. Orders containing alcohol have a separate service fee.
- Tipping is optional but encouraged for delivery orders. You can show your customer how much you appreciate and thank them for great service. There is 10% of your tip that goes directly to the person who delivers your order.
With an optional Instacart+ membership, you can get $0 delivery fee on every order over $35 and lower service fees too. Instacart pickup cost:
- There may be a “pickup fee” of $1 for your order, which is the same as a delivery fee for pick-up orders. 99 for non-Instacart+ members. Instacart+ membership waives this like it would a delivery fee.
- No matter if you are a member of Instacart or not, there are no service fees for pick-up orders.
- Find Best Match: If nothing else is chosen, your shopper will use their best judgment to choose a replacement for your item.
- Pick Specific Replacement: If your first choice is sold out, you can choose a specific alternative for the customer to buy.
- Choose “Dont Replace” for items you don’t want to replace. If the item is out of stock, you’ll get your money back.
- Missing items
- Incorrect items
- Damaged items
- Poor replacements
- Early/late orders
If an order never came, or you get someone else’s order, you can reach out to Instacart Customer Experience. Yes! You can get Mung Beans products delivered same-day in as fast as one hour from stores near you using the Instacart app or website.
Buy Organic Mung Beans
FAQ
What are mung beans called in America?
Where do you get mung beans from?
Are lentils and mung beans the same thing?
What does mung bean do to your body?
Where can I buy moong whole mung beans?
Shop Moong Whole (Whole Mung Beans w/Skin) – 32oz (2lbs) 908g – Rani Brand Authentic Indian Products at Target. Choose from Same Day Delivery, Drive Up or Order Pickup. Free standard shipping with $35 orders.
What are mung beans?
Mung beans ( Vigna radiata) are small, green beans that belong to the legume family. They have been cultivated since ancient times. While native to India, mung beans later spread to China and various parts of Southeast Asia ( 1, 2 ). These beans have a slightly sweet taste and are sold fresh, as sprouts or as dried beans.
Are mung beans healthy?
These beans have a slightly sweet taste and are sold fresh, as sprouts or as dried beans. They aren’t as popular in the US but can be purchased from most health food stores. Mung beans are incredibly versatile and typically eaten in salads, soups and stir-frys. They’re high in nutrients and believed to aid many ailments ( 2 ).
Do mung beans have starch?
Mung beans, like other legumes, also contain resistant starch. Resistant starch works similarly to soluble fiber, as it helps nourish your healthy gut bacteria. The bacteria then digest it and turn it into short-chain fatty acids — butyrate, in particular ( 21 ).