Green Beans

Whole or trimmed green beans

Green beans are simply the immature pods of the bean plant (Phaseolus vulgaris), which is a member of the Papilionaceae legume family. This annual herbaceous plant has a climbing stem and may be dwarf or reach up to 4 metres in height. The bean pods are swollen and elongated, may be straight or curved, and appear in intense shades of green, yellow or purple, depending on the variety. The internal seeds, arranged longitudinally, vary from yellowish-white to more or less intense shades of green. In addition to the classic variety, you can also find Bobis white beans; Marconi stringless beans; Prelude beans; Contender beans, also known as French beans; beans with yellow pods, such as Meraviglia di Venezia and Corona d'Oro; and beans with purple pods, such as Trionfo Violetto and Anellini di Trento.

Green beans are rich in vitamins A and C and mineral salts such as iron, potassium and phosphorus. They are a precious source of calcium, ideal for keeping your bones strong. In terms of beneficial properties, they are purifying and diuretic. Native to South America, green beans were cultivated in the Andes as early as 6,000 BC, when they were typically consumed dried. Christopher Columbus brought them to Europe at the end of the fifteenth century. According to some documents, they were first cultivated in Italy, Greece and Turkey in the 17th century.