Black Beans – All You Need to Know| Instacart’s Guide to Groceries

What are black beans?

Black beans hail from the Fabaceae family, which is the third-largest plant family on Earth. The fruit of those plants are legumes (peas and beans).

Black beans are part of the legume family, and they are one of the 500 varieties of kidney beans. While black beans are native to the Americas, they’ve become popular worldwide.

Black beans are the size of a half-inch oblong pea.  As their name suggests, black beans have satiny black skin and a white center. When they are prepared, the beans become creamy with a strong, sweet flavor.

There are several types of black beans, including black turtle beans, Domino, Black Magic, and Blackhawk. Often black beans are referred to as turtle beans since it’s the most common variety found in markets and stores.

Where did black beans originate from?

Black beans originated over 7,000 years ago when they were a staple in the diets of Latin and Central America.

Although North Dakota produces many beans, Michigan is the second-largest dry bean producer and the largest black bean producer in America, with over 225,000 acres of land from various farms.  In 2016, Michigan State University developed two more varieties of black beans – the Zenith and the Zorro.

What is the nutritional value of black beans?

Black beans are rich in antioxidants, fiber, protein, and complex carbohydrates.

One serving of cooked black beans (1/2 cup) contains:

• Calories: 114
• Protein: 8 grams
• Fat: 0 grams
• Carbohydrates: 20 grams
• Fiber: 7 grams
• Sugar: 0 grams

A one-cup (180 gram) serving of canned black beans provides:

• Calories: 241
• Carbs: 44 grams
• Fiber: 18.2 grams
• Protein: 16 grams
• Fat: 0.8 grams

How are black beans grown?

Black beans take around 100 days to grow and thrive in warmer weather. Therefore, it’s beneficial to plant them in the spring, and then they can be harvested by late summer or early fall.  Here are some tips you prefer growing black beans yourself:

• Use black turtle beans. If you eat a lot of black beans, grow around 15 plants per person in your family. Shop for black bean seeds.
• Designate a garden bed for the beans or use container plants to grow them in. Make sure to plant them where they will get plenty of sunshine.
• Water them occasionally, and they will grow without much help. After around three months, shake the bean pod. If the beans rattle inside, the plant is fully developed and ready to be harvested.
• Pull the entire plant and tie it up for one week to dry out. A shed is a good option as the plants are sturdy.
• Remove each pod off the plant and pick out the black beans from each pod.

When are black beans in season?

Black beans grow best during warmer temperatures, so their growing season is during the summer. Black beans take three to four months to harvest.

What should I look for when buying black beans?

Most grocery stores sell both dried and canned black beans. Canned beans are often more convenient since you don’t need to soak them. You have to cook them. However, they often come with added salt and preservatives. If you want canned beans, look for canned beans where the cans are not dented or bulging. Check labels for ingredients and op to find one lower in sodium. Shop for canned beans.

When selecting dried black beans, only purchase what you will use that month. Check that the package is tightly sealed and contains no broken beans. If there are any pinholes in the dried beans, they’ve been infested by bugs and should be avoided. Shop for dried beans.

How to store black beans

Canned black beans should be stored in a dry place like the pantry. Be careful not to dent the can when putting them away.

Store dried black beans in an airtight container in a cool, dry place for up to one year. Do not mix new beans with older ones. Make sure to store them in separate containers. Dried beans of different ages cook at different rates so that older beans would cook longer.

Cooked beans stay fresh in the fridge for up to five days. Cooked black beans also freeze well. Portion the beans into sealed containers and cover them with a cooking liquid and a little white vinegar to keep the beans from splitting. They’ll keep in the freezer for around three months, and then they start drying out.

How long do dried beans last?

If black beans are stored correctly, they have a shelf life of at least a year. Technically, black beans could keep indefinitely if they’re not in harsh environments. However, the taste changes and they lose their nutritional value after two to three years.

How to tell if black beans are going bad

Discard any cans of black beans that are dented or leaking. If they smell odd or have mold in them upon opening the can, get rid of them.

If you’ve had a bag of dried beans for more than three years, it’s probably lost its nutrients and flavor but could be safe to eat, as long as no pantry bugs are living in the bag or the pantry. Check that there isn’t a rancid odor when you open the bag, as black beans are usually odorless.

What can I substitute for black beans?

The best black substitutes are other bean varieties like kidney beans, Great Northern beans, or Pinto beans.

Where can I find black beans near me?

Black beans are a versatile ingredient that can be used in many Latin and Mexican dishes. Both dried and canned black beans have become popular and economical options.

To save time and money, you order black beans with Instacart and even specify what kind of black beans you want. With same-day delivery, it’ll be at your doorstep in hours.

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