It is understandable that the beans of the Parkia speciosa are called stink beans in English. Known locally as petai, the petai tree which can grow to about 30 metres tall, bears fruits in a cluster of seven or eight long and twisted pods. The green beans within the pods are edible and due to the sulfur-containing compounds in them, they have a strong peculiar smell that lingers on in the mouth as an aftertaste. The toilet smells of the beans too after a pee and could be an embarassment to some. Yet, it can't be denied that the beans cooked ala sambal tumis petai are simply too delicious to resist!
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