Types of Beans

One of the things I like best about being a whole food/raw food/vegetarian advocate is the world of beans. Beans come in such wide varieties, and after spending some time as a vegetarian, I soon became very familiar with how satisfied and well nourished I felt after enjoying a plateful of these small nutrient packed wonders. Bean types and their characteristics are as plentiful as they are nourishing. Here's a few types of beans that I consider some of my own favorites as a bean advocate.

Black Beans

I have often heard of these beans referred to as "turtles". They are widely used in Mexican, South American and other Hispanic cuisine as stated in an informational brochure from the National Cooperative Grocers Association. They combine well with many strong herbs and spices in a complimentary way. I find them useful in dishes that include other tasty foods, as well as just heated up and placed in a warm tortilla for a quick lunch on the go.

Garbanzo Beans

These beans are also have a second name in alternative circles. They are referred to as "Chick-peas" and can be found in a variety of dishes. One of my favorite ways to make these beans is in a flavorful soup referred to as "chick pea soup" with these beans as the main ingredient. They are widely used in many Middle Eastern dishes that include things like hummus and falafel. They're also great out of the can with onion and garlic over a salad.

Fava Beans

This large brown bean has extensive uses in many Mediterranean meals according to the information laid out in the National Cooperative Grocers Association including the following flavorful facts. Fava beans taste great in accompaniment with a number of different herbs, that are included in tomato sauces, soups and stews. If you're looking for fresh fava beans, you'll find them from nature within a pod, but they hold up well from the can as well, and make great dishes from a canned source.

Adzuki Beans

These beans hail from Japan, and are often advocated in whole food circles as the most digestible bean. They are often thought of as having a similar flavor to kidney beans. So much so, that they are many frequently used as substitutes for them in soups and other bean dishes as cited in the National Cooperative Grocers Association informational brochure.

Mung Beans

In the informational brochure on Mung Beans from the National Cooperative Grocers Association Mung beans are frequently used in Asian and Indian cultures. These beans are often complimentary to curries, ginger, and chiles. You can use mung beans as substitutions for lentils and peas in a variety of recipes. Sprouted mung beans are great in salads and popular in stir fry dishes of all types.

Source:

National Cooperative Grocers Association Brochure