Green bean

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"String beans" redirects here. For the vaudeville entertainer, see Butler May. For the 1918 film, see String Beans (film).

Lots of green beans in a pile
A pile of raw green beans

Green beans are young, unripe fruits of various cultivars of the common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris),[1][2] although immature or young pods of the runner bean (Phaseolus coccineus), yardlong bean (Vigna unguiculata subsp. sesquipedalis), and hyacinth bean (Lablab purpureus) are used in a similar way.[3] Green beans are known by many common names, including French beans (or the French: haricot vert),[4] string beans (although most modern varieties are "stringless"),[4] and snap beans[4] or simply snaps.[5][6] In the Philippines, they are also known as Baguio beans or habichuelas, to distinguish them from yardlong beans.[7]

They are distinguished from the many other varieties of beans in that green beans are harvested and consumed with their enclosing pods, before the bean seeds inside have fully matured. An analogous practice is the harvest and consumption of unripened pea pods, as is done with snow peas or sugar snap peas.

Culinary use

Raw green beans
Nutritional value per 100 g (3.5 oz)
Energy131 kJ (31 kcal)
6.97 g
Dietary fiber2.7 g
0.22 g
1.83 g
VitaminsQuantity
%DV†
Vitamin A equiv.
4%
35 μg
Thiamine (B1)
7%
0.082 mg
Riboflavin (B2)
9%
0.104 mg
Niacin (B3)
5%
0.734 mg
Pantothenic acid (B5)
5%
0.225 mg
Vitamin B6
11%
0.141 mg
Folate (B9)
8%
33 μg
Vitamin C
15%
12.2 mg
Vitamin K
14%
14.4 μg
MineralsQuantity
%DV†
Calcium
4%
37 mg
Iron
8%
1.03 mg
Magnesium
7%
25 mg
Manganese
10%
0.216 mg
Phosphorus
5%
38 mg
Potassium
4%
211 mg
Zinc
3%
0.24 mg
Other constituentsQuantity
Water90 g
Link to USDA Database entry
†Percentages are roughly approximated using US recommendations for adults.
Source: USDA FoodData Central

As common food in many countries, green beans are sold fresh, canned, and frozen. They can be eaten raw or steamed, boiled, stir-fried, or baked. They are commonly cooked in other dishes, such as soups, stews, and casseroles. Green beans can be pickled, similarly to cucumbers.

A dish with green beans common throughout the northern US, particularly at Thanksgiving, is green bean casserole, a dish of green beans, cream of mushroom soup, and French-fried onions.[8]

Nutrition

Raw green beans are 90% water, 7% carbohydrates, 2% protein, and contain negligible fat (table). In a 100 gram (3.5 oz) reference amount, raw green beans supply 31 calories and are a moderate source (range 10–19% of the Daily Value) of vitamin C, vitamin K, vitamin B6, and manganese (table). Other micronutrients are in low supply.

Domestication

The green bean (Phaseolus vulgaris) originated in Central and South America where there is evidence that it has been cultivated in Mexico and Peru for thousands of years.[9]

Production

In 2020, world production of green beans was 23 million tonnes, with China accounting for 77% of the total (table).

Characteristics

The first "stringless" bean was bred in 1894 by Calvin Keeney, called the "father of the stringless bean", while working in Le Roy, New York.[10] Most modern green bean varieties do not have strings.[3]

Production of
green beans – 2020
Country (Millions of tonnes)
 China 18.0
 Indonesia 0.9
 India 0.6
 Turkey 0.5
 Thailand 0.3
World 23.3
Source: FAOSTAT of the United Nations[11]

Plant

Green beans are classified by growth habit into two major groups, "bush" (or "dwarf") beans and "pole" (or "climbing") beans.[12][13][14]

Bush beans are short plants, growing to not more than 2 feet (61 cm) in height, often without requiring supports. They generally reach maturity and produce all of their fruit in a relatively short period of time, then cease to produce. Owing to this concentrated production and ease of mechanized harvesting, bush-type beans are those most often grown on commercial farms. Bush green beans are usually cultivars of the common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris).

Pole beans have a climbing habit and produce a twisting vine, which must be supported by "poles", trellises, or other means. Pole beans may be common beans (Phaseolus vulgaris), runner beans (Phaseolus coccineus) or yardlong beans (Vigna unguiculata subsp. sesquipedalis).[15][16]

Half-runner beans have both bush and pole characteristics, and are sometimes classified separately from bush and pole varieties.[17][18][19][20] Their runners can be about 3–10 feet long.[21]

Varieties

Varieties of climbing French beans, from left: 'The Hunter', 'Cosse Violette', 'Rob Roy', 'Rob Splashed', 'Kingston Gold'

Over 130 varieties (cultivars) of edible pod beans are known.[22] Varieties specialized for use as green beans, selected for the succulence and flavor of their green pods, are the ones usually grown in the home vegetable garden, and many varieties exist. Beans with various pod colors (green, purple, red, or streaked.[23]) are collectively known as snap beans, while green beans are exclusively green. Shapes range from thin "fillet" types to wide "romano" types and more common types in between.[further explanation needed] Yellow-podded green beans are also known as wax beans.[3]

All of the following varieties have green pods and are Phaseolus vulgaris, unless otherwise specified:

Bush (dwarf) types

  • Blue Lake 274[2]
  • Contender[24]
  • Derby (1990 AAS winner)[2]
  • Golden Wax Improved (yellow/wax), 60 days
  • Greencrop, 53 days
  • Heavyweight II, 53 days
  • Improved Tendergreen[25]
  • Provider[24]
  • Rocquencourt (yellow/wax), 50 days, heirloom[26]
  • Royal Burgundy (purple pod), 55 days
  • Stringless Green Pod, heirloom[27]
  • Triomphe de Farcy, 48 days, heirloom

Pole (climbing) types

Gallery

  • Green common beans on the plant

    Green common beans on the plant

  • Whole raw green beans packed in a punnet for sale

    Whole raw green beans packed in a punnet for sale

  • Green beans with bean slicer

    Green beans with bean slicer

  • Cut and cooked green beans

    Cut and cooked green beans

  • Four varieties of the common green bean presenting variation in color, size, shape, and texture

    Four varieties of the common green bean presenting variation in color, size, shape, and texture

  • Pickled beans

    Pickled beans

References

  1. ^ "Green Beans". The World's Healthiest Foods. Archived from the original on August 2, 2016. Retrieved March 2, 2017.
  2. ^ a b c d e f "Beans – Vegetable Directory – Watch Your Garden Grow – University of Illinois Extension".
  3. ^ a b c "Growing beans in Minnesota home gardens". University of Minnesota Agricultural Extension. Retrieved December 23, 2018.
  4. ^ a b c Green, Aliza (2004). Field Guide to Produce. p. 126. ISBN 9781931686808.
  5. ^ Singh BK and Singh B. 2015. Breeding perspectives of snap bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.). Vegetable Science 42(1): 1-17.
  6. ^ Hatch, Peter J. (April 24, 2012). "A Rich Spot of Earth": Thomas Jefferson's Revolutionary Garden at Monticello. pp. 159–161. ISBN 9780300171143.
  7. ^ "Baguio Beans". Maribehlla. January 25, 2011. Retrieved October 20, 2019.
  8. ^ Cook's Illustrated (2004). The New Best Recipe. America's Test Kitchen.
  9. ^ "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on January 12, 2020. Retrieved November 30, 2019.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  10. ^ Taylor's guide to heirloom vegetables. Boston: Houghton Mifflin. 1996. ISBN 0-395-70818-4.
  11. ^ "Production of green beans in 2020, Crops/Regions/World list/Production Quantity (pick lists)". UN Food and Agriculture Organization, Corporate Statistical Database (FAOSTAT). 2022. Retrieved May 6, 2022.
  12. ^ McGee, Rose Marie Nichols; Stuckey, Maggie (2002). The Bountiful Container. Workman Publishing.
  13. ^ Garrelts, C.; Garrelts, Megan; Lee, Bonjwing (2011). Bluestem: The Cookbook. Andrews McMeel Publishing. p. 71. ISBN 978-1-4494-0061-3.
  14. ^ a b c How to Grow French Beans – Royal Horticultural Society, RHS Gardening
  15. ^ Capomolla, F. (2017). Growing Food the Italian Way. Pan Macmillan Australia. p. 143. ISBN 978-1-76055-490-3. Retrieved February 26, 2018.
  16. ^ Watson, B. (1996). Taylor's Guide to Heirloom Vegetables. TAYLOR'S WEEKEND GARDENING GUIDES. Houghton Mifflin. p. 238. ISBN 978-0-395-70818-7. Retrieved February 26, 2018.
  17. ^ "Planting Directions for White Half-Runner Beans". sfgate.com. Retrieved May 24, 2018.
  18. ^ Torpey, Jodi (January 9, 2016). Blue Ribbon Vegetable Gardening: The Secrets to Growing the Biggest and Best Prizewinning Produce. Storey Publishing. ISBN 9781612123950. Retrieved May 24, 2018 – via Google Books.
  19. ^ Wonning, Paul R. Gardeners' Guide to Growing Green Beans in the Vegetable Garden: The Green Bean Book – Growing Bush, Pole Beans For Beginning Gardeners. Mossy Feet Books. ISBN 9781311559784. Retrieved May 24, 2018 – via Google Books.
  20. ^ Gutierrez, Sandra A. (October 15, 2015). Beans and Field Peas: a Savor the South® cookbook. UNC Press Books. ISBN 9781469623962. Retrieved May 24, 2018 – via Google Books.
  21. ^ Séguret, Susi Gott (January 24, 2017). Appalachian Appetite: Recipes from the Heart of America. Hatherleigh Press. ISBN 9781578267057. Retrieved May 24, 2018 – via Google Books.
  22. ^ Facciola, Stephen (1998). Cornucopia II : a source book of edible plants. Kampong Publications. ISBN 0-9628087-2-5.
  23. ^ Singh B K, Pathak K A, Ramakrishna Y, Verma V K and Deka B C. 2011. "Purple-podded French bean with high antioxidant content". ICAR News: A Science and Technology Newsletter 17 (3): 9.
  24. ^ a b "Bean Varieties: Best Bets and Easy-to-Grow". May 10, 2009. Retrieved December 23, 2018.
  25. ^ "Improved Tendergreen Bush Green Bean". Retrieved December 23, 2018.
  26. ^ "Three Heirloom Beans". April 2006. Retrieved May 17, 2020.
  27. ^ "Seedsmen Hall of Fame". Retrieved December 23, 2018.
  28. ^ Runner beans are beautiful and edible – Oregon State University Agricultural Extension

External links

Wikibooks Cookbook has a recipe/module on
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Green beans.
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