Beans

About

Bean is the broad name given to a wide variety of plant seeds or peas, and legumes belonging to the Fabicae family. These include Mung Beans, Lima beans, Broadbeans, Garbanzo Beans (Chickpeas), Red Kidney Beans, String Beans and Green Beans. Some other common varieties include Pinto beans, Black beans, Fava beans, Black-eyed Peas, Haricot beans, Cannelini beans

Beans are a staple ingredient in many cultures. They are highly nutritious, filling and extremely versatile. Depending on the variety, beans can be used for curries/stews, pastas, salads ie. Bean Salad, Corn Salad), sauces (ie. black bean sauce), dips, bakes, pies and many other dishes. Sometimes they are served as a dish by themselves, as in Frijoles Refritos (Refried Pinto Beans) or Baked Beans. Most have a distinctive 'beany' flavour which is unique but not very strong.

Information

Other names: Black Beans, Pinto, Frijoles, Kidney, Lima

Translations: Pupas, Pupelės, Fasole, Grah, Đậu, Fasola, Bonen, सेम, Feijões, Фасоль, Φασόλια, فاصوليا, 콩, Fazole, Kacang, Patani, 豆类, Fesols, Fižol, Fazuľa, Fagioli, שעועית, Bönor, Пасуљ, 豆, Haricots, Bohnen, Bønner, Bønner, Frijoles, Квасоля, Pavut, Боб

Physical Description

Mainly bean-shaped, although there are exceptions such as broad beans, which are oval shaped and flattened, or chickpeas (garbanzo beans), which are rounded and lumpy.

Colors: Brown, Red, Black, Pale brown, off-white, Green, Tan, Several varieties have spots or stripes

Tasting Notes

Flavors: Salty, Starchy,

Mouthfeel: Earthy, Pasty

Food complements: Rice, Breads

Wine complements: White, French chablis, American chardonnay, White sancerre

Beverage complements: Sodas, Lemonade

Substitutes: Other types of beans

Selecting and Buying

Seasonality: january, february, march, april, may, june, july, august, september, opctober, november, december

Choosing: You can select a wide variety of beans depending on what you choose to make. Also by brand/canned or which ever is to your liking.

Dried beans require a lengthy soaking/cooking process, but will absorb more flavour than canned beans

Buying: You can purchase at your local grocery store.

Procuring: very easy to grow.

Preparation and Use

Leave soaking in water prior to preparation for cooking. You can boil for couple hours until beans are tender. You may add tomatoes, onions, beer, jalepenos, cliantro, bay leafs and bacon + spices for Frijoles Borrachos aka Drunken Beans!

Cleaning: You can rinse and soak beans prior for use of cooking.