đậu mèo

Một chùm đậu mèo màu xanh treo lủng lẳng trên giàn.

Definition

1. Noun:
   • Cowpea / Black-eyed pea: A type of legume, specifically Vigna unguiculata, characterized by its small, oval shape and a distinctive black spot (the "eye") on the light-colored seed.
   • A common bean variety: Refers broadly to a category of beans widely cultivated and consumed in Vietnam, often used in savory dishes, desserts, and as a filling.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • Chè đậu mèo rất thơm ngon. (Cowpea sweet soup is very delicious.)
  • Mẹ tôi thường nấu cháo với đậu mèo. (My mother often cooks porridge with black-eyed peas.)
  • Đậu mèo là nguyên liệu chính của món xôi này. (Cowpeas are the main ingredient of this sticky rice dish.)

Advanced Usage

• In botanical or agricultural contexts, "đậu mèo" may be specified by scientific names like to distinguish it from other bean types.

Variants and Related Words

• Đậu đen (n): Black bean ().
• Đậu xanh (n): Mung bean ().
• Đậu phộng (n): Peanut ().

Synonyms

• Black-eyed pea: The most direct English equivalent.
• Cowpea: The common name for the plant and its seeds.
• Southern pea: A regional name used in some English-speaking countries.

Notes on Usage

• "Đậu mèo" is a culinary term and not typically used in idiomatic expressions. It primarily denotes the food ingredient.
• The reference to "pois pouilleux" or "mucuna" from historical dictionaries points to older or more specific botanical classifications, but in modern Vietnamese culinary usage, "đậu mèo" is understood as the common cowpea or black-eyed pea.