Ewa Oloyin (Honey Bean)

Known as Ewa Oloyin in Yuruba, these sweet and creamy “cowpeas” are a staple in Nigeria where they are cooked in a spicy tomato sauce, sometimes with palm oil, onion, and crawfish. They can be used to make Akara (bean fritters), Moi-Moi (bean pudding), and Gbegiri (bean soup). They are high in protein and fiber. We first learned about these and received seeds from our seed penpal Vivien Elebiyo-Okojie, a Nigerian “Entrepreneur and Food Conversationalist” living in Ohio.

Also known as Oloying and Brown Bean.

Days to maturity: 85

Seeds per pack: 40

Germination rate: 84% on 12/15/2023

Planting / harvesting notes

Direct sow black-eyed peas safely after frost, any time between late May and mid-July. This is a climbing vine crop, so it needs to be planted next to a structure or trellis. Plant 1" deep with 3" spacing, either in 1 row on each side of the net trellis or in another arrangement if using a different kind of trellis, like a pole or garden sculpture. Being a legume, it does fairly well in and adds nitrogen to poor soil.

Seed keeping notes

Black-eyed peas are self-pollinating, though it is best to isolate different varieties of V. unguiculata (including black-eyed peas, southern peas, cowpeas, and long beans) at least 20 feet, if not much farther to avoid unwanted cross-pollination. Allow beans to dry fully into a brown crispy state. This is when they are ready to harvest for seed. If necessary, lay them out to dry a little longer in their pods.

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