Mung beans can grow 36 inches tall. Mung beans produce clusters of black pods 3 to 4 inches long and reach maturity 120 days after planting. The seeds also vary in coloration and can be yellow, brown, mottled black or even green. The mung bean is self-pollinating.

Mung beans are light yellow in color when the skin is removed. Mung bean paste can be made by shelling, cooking and pulverizing the beans to a dry paste.