Guajes Beans for Delivery or Pickup

Guajes (pronounced "GWA-hez") are legumes that are popular in Mexican cuisine. You might also find them in the store under the names hauxya, haujes, or guaje beans. When the Spanish arrived in southern Mexico in the early 1500s, they came across the Leucaena Leucocephala tree, which is also known as leadtree in English. Native people in Mexico used the pods from this tree as food and for medicinal purposes.

Guaje is grown mainly in southern Mexico, where the climate is hot. The trees prosper in areas that don't experience frost or have dry seasons lasting longer than seven months. Those in the Philippines use the seeds instead of coffee beans, while residents of the Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico make jewelry out of the seeds.

The seed pods are thin and flat and are about a foot long. They look somewhat like incredibly long sugar snap peas. The seed pods are considered inedible, but their small green seeds are tender. The seeds are about the size of lima beans and take on a brown hue once they dry and age. The pod's color ranges from green to red and is slightly translucent, so you can see some of the seeds along the pod's length. The seed's taste is slightly bitter and has hints of avocado, okra, garlic, and pumpkin seed.

Guajes are available year-round, but their peak season occurs in the spring. Although the pods can be green or red, the exterior color doesn't change the taste of the legumes. Some pods might also be green with red blotches, and that's perfectly fine. When the pods are overly ripe, they turn brown. You can hold the pods up toward the light to see how many seeds are in the pods and how plump they are. 

You'll need to remove the seeds from the pods before you can fully enjoy them. If your guaje pods came connected to other pods, remove them from the main stem. Pinch the pod at the non-stem end, and tear off the end. Try to peel off some of the strings that stick to the pod's end.

If you're having difficulty getting the pods open, you can scald them in boiling water for a few minutes. They should peel easily once they're cooled. Separate the two halves, so the pod is open. The seeds should pop out, but you can also use your fingers to brush them out.

Although you can consume guaje seeds when they're fresh and green, it's more common to eat them dried or roasted. Doing so can enhance the flavor and add a subtle sweetness. In Mexico, people roast and salt the dried seeds and then eat them as a snack. The seeds are also ground and added to guacamole, salsa, Irish dishes, omelets, curries, and fritter batter. You can also add them to sauces, soups, and moles.

Whether you've never cooked with guajes before or are a pro at preparing these delicious legumes, let Instacart help you with your order! After you open your Instacart app, add guajes to your cart, and check out, an Instacart shopper will get started on your order. You can have the guajes at your doorstep in as little as 2 hours so you can get started on your dish!