Adzuki beans, also known as red beans, are a popular ingredient in East Asian cuisine. They are commonly used in various desserts such as mochi, moon cakes, and taiyaki. Despite their popularity, the origins of adzuki beans have long been a topic of debate among scientists.
A recent study, published in Science, analyzed nearly 700 wild and cultivated adzuki genomes across Asia. The researchers were able to trace the domestication of adzuki beans to Japan between 3,000 and 5,000 years ago. This discovery challenges previous beliefs that the beans were first domesticated in China due to the greater genetic diversity found in Chinese cultivars.
Interestingly, while Chinese cultivars exhibit more genetic diversity in their nuclear genomes, the chloroplast genomes of these beans closely resemble those of wild Japanese beans. This suggests that adzuki beans were first domesticated in Japan and later spread to China, where they hybridized with local wild beans, leading to increased genetic diversity.
The study also uncovered genetic mutations that resulted in the characteristic red color of cultivated adzuki beans. One mutation suppresses pigment processing, causing red pigments to accumulate in the seed coat, while another gene deletion eliminates the mottled pattern found in wild beans. These mutations likely arose around 10,000 years ago, long before the domestication of adzuki beans in Japan.
The early spread of these mutations may have been driven by human aesthetic preferences, as the color red has long been considered lucky in East Asian cultures. Additionally, the mutations that reduce pod shattering, a trait useful for farmers but not for wild plants, also began to appear around the same time.
Overall, the study provides valuable insights into the domestication and evolution of adzuki beans. It highlights the role of human influence in shaping the genetic characteristics of this beloved staple in East Asian cuisine. The findings also support the idea that the Jomon people, who lived in Japan as early as 16,000 years ago, were more than just foragers, as they likely played a key role in the domestication of adzuki beans.
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