Dry Beans Category
Beans are low in fat and loaded with nutrients, and we'd probably eat more of them if they weren't also loaded with flatulence-producing enzymes. There are ways to enjoy beans without having to forego social appointments, however. One is to change the water from time to time while you're soaking or cooking the beans. Pouring off the water helps gets rid of the indigestible complex sugars that create gas in your intestine. It also helps to cook the beans thoroughly, until they can be easily mashed with a fork. Most bean aficionados prefer dried beans, but canned beans are also available. These don't need to be cooked, but they tend to be saltier and less flavorful than reconstituted dried beans.
soybean
This nutritional powerhouse is extremely versatile--it's used to make salad oil, tofu, soy sauce, meat analogs, soy milk and cheese, and many other ingredients. The actual beans need to be soaked a long time and are somewhat hard to digest, but they're extremely nutritious.
Learn moretepary bean
This was a staple of Native Americans in the Southwest. It's good for making refried beans and chili. Look for it in health food stores.
Learn moretongues of fire bean
This bean is a close relative of the cranberry bean. Despite its name, it's not hot at all.
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This German heirloom bean is relatively sweet. It's especially good in soups and casseroles
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