What are popping beans?

By Chelsie Vandaveer

September 23, 2004

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Some of the oldest specimens of the common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris Linnaeus) come from the Guitarrero Cave in Peru. Hunter-gatherers had collected and set these seeds aside 11,000 years ago. Beans especially boiled then fried (frijoles) remain an important food throughout the Andes. Through the centuries, beans were domesticated to numerous varieties from hard beans eaten at maturity—black, kidney, and pinto—to pod beans like green, string, and wax.

Beans are high in proteins, but contain antinutritional compounds, lectins that wreak havoc with the human immune system. Lectins are easily removed, soaking and boiling destroys them. But high in the Andes, water boils at lower temperatures than it does at sea level. Cooking takes longer. Some varieties of mature beans need long cooking times even at low elevations.

Larger Picture 'Countryside Kitchen' Cooking becomes a communal endeavor in the Andes, with everyone assigned a specific task. A man and woman grain corn together while others cook, chop or bring firewood. "I love painting scenes from the countryside such as this kitchen in Chivay," confides Peruvian artist Alcides Molina. "The women wear the most amazing and colorful garments, which they embroider by hand." Tilted "Cocina campestre" in Spanish. You save 49% Click here. [The Andes] [NOVICA in association with NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC]

People in the Andes had one other problem with cooking. Trees are few at high elevations; fuel for cooking fires was in short supply. The problem was solved with beans called nuñas.

Nuñas are eaten at maturity. There are many varieties—nuña ploma, a gray bean, nuña azul, a blue, nuña mani, a light red, and the like. Nuñas have an advantage over other types of beans; they require little cooking. The bean is reputed to taste like peanuts. The bean is lightly fried in oil and when ready to eat, it pops splitting its seedcoat and opening like a butterfly. ("Nuñas (Popping Beans)", Lost Crops of the Incas: Little-Known Plants of the Andes with Promise for Worldwide Cultivation, Office of International Affairs, National Academies Press, 1989)

Nuñas have been tested and are under consideration as a new snack food, something that could be worth millions worldwide. Like many other traditional crops, they are the center of an international legal controversy, that of patent rights. To learn more, click on the link:

http://www.biotech-info.net/bean_patents.html

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Early Contender Bush Beans

Gurney's Seed and Nursery®

The Standard Early Bean. – Gurney's Choice Starts producing nearly a week ahead of most varieties. Bears 6- to 8-inch stringless pods and nothing stops it! Tolerates mosaic virus, greasy pod and heat. Cooks up tender, cans and freezes with no loss of quality. 49 DAYS. Zones: 3 - 9 (-30° F.)

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[Bean Seed] [Vegetable Seeds]

Comments: No staking needed. Heat tolerant. Tolerant of BCMV, NY and greasy pod disease. Buff with white mottle.

Beans are one of your best bets for yield and versatility. A 15- foot row of pole beans will produce about 12 pounds of beans over a 6 to 8 week period. Grows green snap, wax and lima beans for fresh eating, freezing and canning.

Improved Golden Wax Bush Beans

Gurney's Seed and Nursery®

Improved Rust Resistance! – Gurney's Choice Blemish-free, bright yellow pods are stringless, 4-5 inches long, with a big, buttery flavor. The perfect choice for the home garden, no matter how small. Grows 16-18 inches high, with minimal spread. Sets general crops--plenty for processing! 50 DAYS. Zones: 3 - 9 (-30° F.)

This Item Ships In Both Spring And Fall Click here - $20 off your first order at Gurneys!

[Bean Seed] [Vegetable Seeds]

Comments: Has white, brown-eyed seeds. Rust proof and blemish free. Resistant to common bean mosaic virus. Upright and compact plant. Needs no support. Ideal for Northern gardeners. Buttery flavor.

Beans are one of your best bets for yield and versatility. A 15- foot row of pole beans will produce about 12 pounds of beans over a 6 to 8 week period. Grows green snap, wax and lima beans for fresh eating, freezing and canning.

Purple Pod Pole Bean

Gurney's Seed and Nursery®

A Snap to Spot and Harvest! – Quick-pick purple pods stand out against the foliage--gets you in and out of the garden fast! Stringless, tasty and temptingly green when cooked. Produces 4-6 tender seeds per 6- to 7-inch pod. 67 DAYS. Zones: 3 - 9 (-30° F.)

This Item Ships In Both Spring And Fall Click here - $20 off your first order at Gurneys!

[Bean Seed] [Vegetable Seeds]

Comments: Oval, deep purple; green when cooked. Excellent flavor and internal flesh color. Also refer to pole bean culture.

Beans are one of your best bets for yield and versatility. A 15- foot row of pole beans will produce about 12 pounds of beans over a 6 to 8 week period. Grows green snap, wax and lima beans for fresh eating, freezing and canning.

Dark Red Kidney Shell Bean

Gurney's Seed and Nursery®

The No. 1 Choice for Chili! – Old-fashioned baker--big, plump and naturally sweeter than any other shell bean. Super-smooth texture. 95 DAYS. Zones: 3 - 9 (-30° F.)

This Item Ships In Both Spring And Fall Click here - $20 off your first order at Gurneys!

[Bean Seed] [Vegetable Seeds]

Comments: Protein-rich. Highly nutritious. Oval, dark. Rich red. Medium green pods. Big, meaty, and sweet. The traditional chili bean.

Beans are one of your best bets for yield and versatility. A 15- foot row of pole beans will produce about 12 pounds of beans over a 6 to 8 week period. Grows green snap, wax and lima beans for fresh eating, freezing and canning. Shell beans are tasty and nutritious and can be served either fresh or dried. They’re easy to preserve, too. Simply dry the beans and store them in airtight jars on the pantry shelf.