Beans are one of the most favourite plant-based protein source alternatives.
You will see these vegetables incorporated in various vegetarian menus for a substitute to animal-based protein.
Not only high in protein, but it is also a great source of fibre and other nutrients.
There are many types of beans available around the world. All of them have a distinct flavour and perfect eaten in any season.
Here are some of them.
1. Fava Beans
It is also known as broad beans, pigeon beans, Windsor beans, and many more. When cooked, you will get a creamy and smooth texture.
The beans have a slightly sweet flavour, and various rich nutrients like vitamins, protein, fibre, and mineral.
These beans are usually cooked into various types of side dishes, and taste great as snacks, for example, fried Fava beans.
2. Mung Beans
It is a small green bean with a round-like shape. This type of beans is commonly found in Asian countries and usually served as dessert.
However, when it has sprouted, mung beans can be cooked into a various delicious recipe.
3. Kidney Beans
These beans are also known as chilli or cannellini beans. The shape almost looks like a kidney, granting it the name we know today.
There are two types of kidney beans available, the red and white colour.
Although it has a meaty texture, it tastes bland and therefore usually cooked as a meat alternative in vegetarian food. It is perfect when cooked as stews.
4. Black Beans
Black turtle beans also commonly called black beans only. These beans are commonly used in South American dishes.
It is delicious served as soups, and even more perfect added in salads. The beans have sweet and a little bit velvety taste and become soft when cooked.
5. Haricot Beans
These oval, cream-coloured beans are known for various names it has, pea beans, white beans, and navy beans.
It will get soft when cooked but need to be soaked beforehand. The neutral taste makes these beans commonly cooked as baked beans.
6. Azuki Beans
These beans originate from Asian countries and commonly found in China and Japan.
The small red beans have a sweetish taste, making it great as a dessert. Azuki Beans are usually cooked into a paste for various confectionary fillings.
7. Lima Beans
The mature beans are yellow coloured, although it starts with a greenish colour.
These beans are not only edible when it has matured, but it is also delicious eaten young, makes sure to shell them first. The buttery taste makes these beans also called butter beans.
8. Hyacinth Beans
These beans are also known as the Lablab beans. These green beans type commonly found in tropical countries.
Around Asia, the immature beans are usually cooked as a whole along with the pods. The fresh beans are perfect for salads, or stir-fried.
9. Black Eyed Peas
These white coloured little beans have a black spot that makes them look like they have an eye.
Hence, the name black-eyed peas. It is also known as goat pea. It may be the healthiest beans for pregnant women due to the high folate content.
These beans are usually served as a side dish.
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10. Garbanzo Beans
People commonly know these beans with their other names, chickpeas. The beans come with a nutty flavour and buttery texture.
Therefore, they are perfect added into soups, or simply roast it for a snack. It is also a popular ingredient for hummus or curries.
11. Pinto Beans
These earthy flavour beans have pink and deep burgundy colour. Pinto beans are still related to kidney beans and have powdery texture.
When cooked, you will get creamy with a hint of sweet taste. It is delicious when added to chilli dishes and combined to Mexican stews.
12. Soya Beans
Soya beans probably the most famous type of beans and is always in high demand.
These high protein beans are the main ingredients for other popular products such as soy milk, beans, and Tempe.
Soya beans are even processed into a fat-free meal with high protein and other nutritional benefits.
The lower price and high protein are making these beans a great substitute for meat and dairy products.
13. Winged Beans
The wings on the pod are where these beans receive their name from. The wings part has frilly edges make it looks different and unique.
The young beans are great for vegetable soup but eaten mature is also a great way to enjoy these beans.
These beans also have several other names like Goa bean, dragon bean, Manila bean, and many more.
Not only the beans are delicious, but the leaves and flowers are also a great addition to salads.
These benefits making winged beans have a great potential to be used as a multi-used food source.
14. Great Northern Beans
These beans almost shaped like a kidney with a whitish colour. The Great Northern Beans are more common in France and the United States.
The beans have a mild taste and perfect when cooked with pasta or roasted pork.
15. Cranberry Beans
These beans are usually incorporated in various Italian menu or Mexican chilli.
Of all other beans, the folate content in Cranberry Beans is the highest. It has a beautiful ivory colour and sometimes with red or bright pink streaks.
When cooked, these beans taste a little bit like a nut with a creamy texture.
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16. Otebo Beans
These beans are common in Japan and usually cooked into a paste for confectionary.
These white-coloured and round-shaped beans are also perfect when roasted and served as a side dish.
17. Appaloosa
These elongated beans are white with black or brownish spots. When you bite these beans, you will taste a hint of piney taste.
You can eat these beans along with the pod when it is still in the form of green beans.
Appaloosa has a mild flavour and usually cooked as a substitute for kidney beans. It is perfect added into chilli or soup. It also tastes delicious when served as mashed appaloosa beans.
Those are some of the bean varieties available in the world. In addition to those seventeen varieties, there are of course many more types of beans available, each with its distinct shape, colour, texture, and even taste.
Due to its nutritional content, beans contain huge benefit for the overall health.
Additionally, they are also great substitutes for a protein source, especially if you are a vegetarian.
