Whether you call them string beans, snap beans, or green beans, these South and Central American natives have been a big part of farm to table food for thousands of years. Here are 5 quick facts about green beans.
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Green beans are actually immature kidney beans. Wow, right?! They’re picked before the pod becomes too tough to eat.
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A staple in the Native American diet, green beans were part of what they called the 3 Sisters of Life- Corn, Beans, and Squash. They would plant the corn first, and when the stalks reached 4 inches they’d plant the beans, using the corn for support and enriching the soil with nitrogen. Next the Natives would plant squash, covering the soil and keeping it moist. Who could’ve guessed the precision and know how?
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Here’s a weird fact…they were called string beans because they used to have a string that ran from end to end. We can thank botanist Calvin Keeney for making these legumes easier to eat, all the way back in 1894.
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There are 2 types of green bean plants, pole beans which grow like a climbing vine and up to ten feet, and bush beans, which grow up to two feet. Green beans come in over 100 varieties, many shapes, colors and sizes. The plant grows pink and purple flowers that have tiny hairs which trap bugs. Who knew?
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Green beans are high in Vitamin C (27% RDA per cup)and fiber (3 1/2 grams per cup), and with only 31 calories, they’re perfect for snacking or meals anytime. Makes you want to try them all.
