Monday, April 17, 2017

Fact File: Kidney Beans

You might be sick of hearing me talk about beans, but we do have a lot more of them to come! Beans are important part of some people's diet though. People who are vegetarians cannot eat meat, and therefore do not get as much protein. All beans do have a lot of protein, so it is a good source of that, and many other nutrients. 

Characteristics: Kidney beans, miraculously got their name from their shape, which is similar to a human kidney. Like most other red beans, they have sort of a strong earthy flavor. 

Image result for kidney beans 

Origin: These beans originated from Peru thousands of years ago. 

Growing Season: Kidney beans are planted in late spring. If they are planted to soon, the seeds will rot and the beans will not grow. They are harvested near the end of the summer or early autumn. 

When they are ripe: They are ripe when they have grown for 95-115 days.

Health benefits: All beans generally have the same health benefits, but kidney beans have some that are unique to them.

-Full of fiber and molybdenum
-Lowers risk of heart attack
-Gives energy
-Stabilizes blood sugar
-Helps to replenish iron stores
-Helps people have a better memory
-Good source of manganese
-Lots of protein
-Reduces bad cholesterol

How to cook and prepare them: These directions are only if the beans are dried.

1. Put the beans over a pot on the stove.
2. Add water until it is 2 inches above the highest bean
3. Boil for 1 1/2 hours.
4. If foam develops, skim it off.

For faster cooking, cook them in a pressure cooker for 1/2 hour!

Fun Facts:

-One cup of kidney beans has 15 grams of protein in it, and only .9 grams of fat!
-These beans got their name from their shape.

Warnings: 

-They have a high oxalate content which can be bad for people with certain medical conditions
-Raw kidney beans are toxic

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