Introduction
Urad or Black Gram is widely grown in India, Iran, South-East Asia, Greece and East Africa. it is also described as Azukia mungo. The composition of black gram is comparable to that of commonly cultivated legumes. Most of the ash, protein and lipid is present in the cotyledons, while the seed coat which accounts for 12 to 14 per cent of the whole seed is rich in crude fibre and calcium.

Split black gram seeds have about 560 to 640 g/kg of carbohydrates, including starch, soluble sugars, fibre and unavailable carbohydrates. Starch accounts for most of the total carbohydrates in the seeds as well as the cotyledons. The protein content has been reported to range from 236 to 286 g/kg.

Black gram is mainly used in the preparation of fermented foods such as idli, papad, waries, dosa, and other regional foods in India. It is also consumed in split, boiled or roasted forms or gound into flour and used to make, cake, bread and porridge.

The seeds are also used for the preparation of sprouts.

The green pods are eaten as a vegetable.

Properties
Black gram destroys flatulation loosens the stools, tastes sweet, creates relishness, strength giver, semen-developer and very nutritious.

Urad producing states in India

Andhra Pradesh Maharashtra Orissa

Uttar Pradesh Tamil Nadu Madhya Pradesh

Production of Urad
India annually produces around 1.3-1.5 million tons of urad, which is normally 10% of India's total pulse production of 12-15 million tons

Market Influencing Factors

Weather plays a profound influence in determining the traders sentiments and the production. This has an influence on prices. The sentiments of traders play a significant role currently, as a consequence of the lack of free-flow of information. Stocks present with stockists and the stocks-to-consumption ratio. Imports and the crop situation in the countries from where imports originate, viz., Myanmar. The price of other major pulses like chana, tur, yellow peas, green peas etc also influence the prices of urad.

Major Trading Centres

Mumbai, Jalgaon, Latur, Akola in Maharashtra Indore, Bhopal, Vidisha in Madhya Pradesh Other major centers are are Delhi, Chennai, Kanpur, Hapur, Hyderabad, Vijayawada, Gulbarga, Sirsa, Jalandhar, Ludhiana, Sangrur

Note : India imports urad from Myanmar to supplement the domestic production. This imports are around 1-2 lakh tons.

Uses

Cakes made from black grams soaked in water after grinding it then adding salt, black pepper, asafoetida, cumin seeds and garlic's and frying it in edible oil or ghee cures aversion, weakness consumption and colic in stomach. After grinding black grams to powder then adding curd to it and making cakes and then frying it in ghee or edible oil gives power and strength to a man and also increases virility. 24-30 grams of flour made from black gram is taken and boiled in cow's milk. If it is taken when it is still warm for one weak, it cures uncontrolled flow of semen.

Note : Black gram is harmful for people who have excessive humor of phelgm and bile in their body. It also causes flatulation. It must not be taken immediately after an operation or if there is a wound in any part of the body.