Parkia speciosa (petai, bitter bean or stink bean) is a plant of the genus Parkia in the family Fabaceae. It bears long, flat edible beans with bright green seeds the size and shape of plump almonds which have a rather peculiar smell, characterised by some as being similar to natural gas.
Petai has earned its nickname 'stink bean' because its strong smell is very pervasive. It lingers in the mouth and body; an effect that can be noticed up to two days after consumption.
I love it’s smell and taste in my chilli prawn (sambal udang) but I don’t consume it’s beans… how’s that? 
Some eats it raw, most would cook it. It is said to not only provide energy, but also able to prevent and overcome several illnesses and conditions. Those benefits include:
- Reduce depression/The brain’s ability: Fruits high calcium can help increase the brain’s ability to learn.
- Streamlining the menstrual
- Overcoming anemia: Because they contain high iron, petai can stimulate the production of red blood cells and help in case of anemia.
- Reducing high blood pressure (hypertension): Petai contains high calcium, but low in salt, so good for reducing blood pressure.
- Controlling blood sugar levels.
- Overcoming constipation: Because of the high fiber, petai then restore normal bowel action.
- Smoking: Vitamin B6 and B12, as well as calcium and magnesium contained petai help the body recover from the effects of nicotine withdrawal.
- Mosquito bites, itching, and swelling: Rub the affected area bites, itching, and swelling of the petai skin
Anyway, too much of it can cause you to suffer from uric acid. High concentrations of uric acid in blood serum can lead to a type of arthritis known as gout.
Take it in moderation… in fact, everything in moderation!
