4 Common Questions We Receive About Beans
21st Century Bean produces quality bean products. With our years of experience and knowledge, we are happy to answer common questions about our beans.
As we look for dry beans to supplement healthy diets and stretch our wallet, dry beans are much healthier, and not to mention wallet friendly. To replace a normal sized (150z) can of beans in any recipe, simply substitute 1 heaping cup of cooked beans. Even a small substitute like this can help may a big difference in the nutrition of the meal. Beans are soluble fibers. Soluble fibers break down easily in water and improve digestion and lower blood sugar. It is important overall that you have a healthy amount of fiber in your diet, and gourmet beans are a great — and tasty — way to achieve this! Did you know that soaking beans overnight will provide a faster cook time? There are various ways to cook them also such as on the stove top, in slow cooker, or with an instant pot. If you are wanting to cook and store beans for later use, we suggest cooking them to almost done, leaving them with a little crunch. This will allow them to meld flavors when cooking in your favorite recipes. Once cooked, they can be used immediately, frozen in containers or storage bags, or even canned. Be sure to check out our many recipes, instructions, and even a video with Chef Ali about using an instant pot. Beans are a great source of protein, especially for plant-based diets, but cannot serve as your only source of protein. Dry beans are not a complete source of protein, which means that they do not contain all nine essential amino acids that a complete protein would. An easy way to get complete proteins into your diet, while still enjoying beans, is to pair them with another incomplete protein! Popular combinations include beans and rice, beans and corn, and beans and squash. 
What is the conversion ratio for canned beans to cooked dry beans?
I know that beans are a good source of fiber, but is it soluble or insoluble fiber?
How do I cook and store dry beans that have been pre-cooked for using in recipes?
I’m a vegetarian/vegan, so I eat beans for protein. But, I’ve heard that beans do not provide a complete protein on their own. What can I do to get complete proteins into my diet?
Our beans can be a delicious staple in your diet. To get recipes or find answers to more of your bean questions, learn more here!