ALL ABOUT BEANS

Bean There: Delicious Bits About Beans

• Beans have been central to the development of civilization in a wide variety of ways – from being a critical source of protein to being cattle feed.
• Ancient Egyptians, long before King Tut, grew beans on a large scale.
• Eating beans prepared in traditional recipes is a way people in some cultures celebrate their ethnic roots.
• Because bean plants fertilize themselves, their genetics have remained stable over the years. Beans from thousands of years ago are genetically very close to the beans we eat today.
• Navy beans actually got their name from being associated with the U.S. Navy. They were the last food on the ship when every- thing fresh ran out. When the beans were gone, that was it, as goes the French saying “la fin des haricots.”
• Though beans continue to sustain the poor in developing nations, the perception of beans is changing in America. We eat beans because we want to, not out of necessity. The popularity of Latin and Middle Eastern cuisine is also elevating the bean on our menu.

Bean Consumption

Chickpeas, also known as Garbanzo Beans, are a key ingredient in curries—one of the most popular dishes in India, Pakistan and Bangladesh. They’re also cooked and ground into hummus, and fried in balls called falafel. On their own, Chickpeas are delicious in salads and stews.

Black Turtle Beans, or simply Black Beans, are a staple of Latin American cuisine, and are often used in burritos, soups, and side dishes. In the United States, they’re also popular in Cajun cooking. Black Beans have a dense, meaty texture that makes them popular in vegetarian dishes.

Navy Beans, are the star ingredient in baked beans—a favorite dish in the United States and Britain. In addition to being delicious, baked beans have been shown to help lower total cholesterol levels.

Pinto Beans are most commonly prepared as refried beans, popular for filling burritos in Mexico and the United States. They’re called pinto beans because of their skin, which resembles a pinto horse.

Lentil Beans are extremely popular in South Asia, the Mediterranean and all over the Middle East. Lentils are inexpensive and nutritious, and are delicious in soups or mixed with rice.

Red Beans, are also popular in the United States, especially in New Orleans and Louisiana, where they’re used to make Red Beans & Rice. Red beans are also the most common beans in Chili Con Carne, popular all over North America.