Our green bean, purple beans, and yellow ("wax") beans start being harvested round about mid-July until about mid-September. Excellent for canning, even better served fresh steamed, you can't beat beans from Carter's!
Beans have been an important part of the human diet for thousands of years. In fact, the Bible makes reference to bean consumption, and beans have even been found in pre-Columbian tombs and the Egyptian pyramids.
It's been said that the Egyptians had temples dedicated to beans, worshipping them as a symbol of life.
Most historians agree that beans are probably native to ancient Peru. From there, they were no doubt introduced throughout the world by soldiers who carried them as a staple of their diet as they fought ancient wars.
The American bean story begins long before Columbus discovered America, with the American Indians as far south as Florida and as far north as the Red River Valley.
In fact, maize, squash and beans were probably all cultivated in North America centuries before Columbus saw his first field of beans.
North America presented a perfect climate for the successful cultivation of beans - plenty of rainfall and long, warm summers.
As a result, by the late 1800's, American bean production had begun in earnest. Initially centered in Michigan, by World War I the demand for bean products had attracted new growers in Colorado, New Mexico, Idaho, Montana, Nebraska and Wyoming.
Green Beans are a good source of fiber and vitamin C and also contain calcium, magnesium, zinc and Vitamin A and are also a source of folate which supports DNA synthesis and new cell formation.
When buying snap beans (green or yellow) look for a fresh, bright appearance with good color. Pick young, tender beans with crisp, firm pods.
STORAGE: Keep green beans dry in a perforated plastic bag in the refrigerator. They should stay fresh for 4 to 5 days.
PREPARATION: Wash beans thoroughly in clear, cool water. Beans can be cooked whole, cut crosswise or diagonally, or French-cut (i.e., cut along the length of the bean). If you want sweet tasting, crisp fresh beans, cut them as little as possible. Cut older, more mature beans in the French style (i.e., lengthwise).
Green beans are often called string beans because years ago a fibrous string ran along the seam of the bean. The string was noticeable when you snapped off the ends. The snapping noise is the reason for its other nickname.
January 6 is National Bean Day
The average American eats more than 15 pounds of beans each year!
It's been said that the Egyptians had temples dedicated to beans, worshipping them as a symbol of life.
Most historians agree that beans are probably native to ancient Peru. From there, they were no doubt introduced throughout the world by soldiers who carried them as a staple of their diet as they fought ancient wars.
The American bean story begins long before Columbus discovered America, with the American Indians as far south as Florida and as far north as the Red River Valley.
In fact, maize, squash and beans were probably all cultivated in North America centuries before Columbus saw his first field of beans.
North America presented a perfect climate for the successful cultivation of beans - plenty of rainfall and long, warm summers.
As a result, by the late 1800's, American bean production had begun in earnest. Initially centered in Michigan, by World War I the demand for bean products had attracted new growers in Colorado, New Mexico, Idaho, Montana, Nebraska and Wyoming.
Green Beans are a good source of fiber and vitamin C and also contain calcium, magnesium, zinc and Vitamin A and are also a source of folate which supports DNA synthesis and new cell formation.
When buying snap beans (green or yellow) look for a fresh, bright appearance with good color. Pick young, tender beans with crisp, firm pods.
STORAGE: Keep green beans dry in a perforated plastic bag in the refrigerator. They should stay fresh for 4 to 5 days.
PREPARATION: Wash beans thoroughly in clear, cool water. Beans can be cooked whole, cut crosswise or diagonally, or French-cut (i.e., cut along the length of the bean). If you want sweet tasting, crisp fresh beans, cut them as little as possible. Cut older, more mature beans in the French style (i.e., lengthwise).
Green beans are often called string beans because years ago a fibrous string ran along the seam of the bean. The string was noticeable when you snapped off the ends. The snapping noise is the reason for its other nickname.
January 6 is National Bean Day
The average American eats more than 15 pounds of beans each year!