Bean is a common name for large seeds of several genera of the flowering plant family Fabaceae which are used for human or animal food. source
Bean is a common name for large seeds of several genera of the flowering plant family Fabaceae which are used for human or animal food.
Seeds called "beans" are often included among the crops called "pulses" (legumes). source
Seeds called "beans" are often included among the crops called "pulses" (legumes).
The term bean usually excludes legumes with tiny seeds and which are used exclusively for forage, hay, and silage purposes (such as clover and alfalfa). source
The term bean usually excludes legumes with tiny seeds and which are used exclusively for forage, hay, and silage purposes (such as clover and alfalfa).
As the bean pods mature, they turn yellow and dry up, and the beans inside change from green to their mature colour. source
As the bean pods mature, they turn yellow and dry up, and the beans inside change from green to their mature colour.
As a vine, bean plants need external support, which may be provided in the form of special "bean cages" or poles. source
As a vine, bean plants need external support, which may be provided in the form of special "bean cages" or poles.
Native Americans customarily grew them along with corn and squash (the so-called Three Sisters), with the tall cornstalks acting as support for the beans. source
Native Americans customarily grew them along with corn and squash (the so-called Three Sisters), with the tall cornstalks acting as support for the beans.
Beans are one of the longest-cultivated plants. source
Beans are one of the longest-cultivated plants.
Broad beans, also called fava beans, in their wild state the size of a small fingernail, were gathered in Afghanistan and the Himalayan foothills. source
Broad beans, also called fava beans, in their wild state the size of a small fingernail, were gathered in Afghanistan and the Himalayan foothills.
Beans were deposited with the dead in ancient Egypt. source
Beans were deposited with the dead in ancient Egypt.
Large-seeded broad beans appear in the Aegean, Iberia and transalpine Europe. source
Large-seeded broad beans appear in the Aegean, Iberia and transalpine Europe.
Currently, the world genebanks hold about 40,000 bean varieties, although only a fraction are mass-produced for regular consumption. source
Currently, the world genebanks hold about 40,000 bean varieties, although only a fraction are mass-produced for regular consumption.
Some kinds of raw beans contain a harmful tasteless toxin, lectin phytohaemagglutinin, that must be removed by cooking. source
Some kinds of raw beans contain a harmful tasteless toxin, lectin phytohaemagglutinin, that must be removed by cooking.
Many types of bean contain significant amounts of antinutrients that inhibit some enzyme processes in the body. source
Many types of bean contain significant amounts of antinutrients that inhibit some enzyme processes in the body.
Beans are a heliotropic plant, meaning that the leaves tilt throughout the day to face the sun. At night, they go into a folded "sleep" position. source
Beans are a heliotropic plant, meaning that the leaves tilt throughout the day to face the sun. At night, they go into a folded "sleep" position.
Dry beans come from both Old World varieties of broad beans (fava beans) and New World varieties (kidney, black, cranberry, pinto, navy/haricot). source
Dry beans come from both Old World varieties of broad beans (fava beans) and New World varieties (kidney, black, cranberry, pinto, navy/haricot).
In the Iliad (8th century BCE) is a passing mention of beans and chickpeas cast on the threshing floor. source
In the Iliad (8th century BCE) is a passing mention of beans and chickpeas cast on the threshing floor.
