I have noticed a couple of places mention not to eat raw french beans. Does anyone know if this applies to all types or only the purple ones? Also, why?
I love raw veg and especially young runner beans straight off the plant!
I have planted purple ones this year so must resist the temptation to nibble when they are ready!
Thanks for sharing your knowledge.
I really cannot understand why you should not eat raw french beans, or even runner beans for that matter.
The only beans that I understand you should be very careful with are the dried red (kidney) beans. They need to be soaked for a long time, and very thoroughly cooked.
I certainly have no problem eating raw french or runner beans.
At 63 it aint done me no harm!!
valmarg
I have been eating raw beans of all types straight from the plant for at least 50 years and I don't think it has done me any harm.
I think it applies to many types of bean, but kidneys are probably the most dangerous. Best thing to do is google : raw beans toxins
this should throw up various links on relevant information.
hope this helps
Editted addition ... http://www.pfaf.org/database/plants.php?Phaseolus+vulgaris (http://www.pfaf.org/database/plants.php?Phaseolus+vulgaris)
Phaseolus vulgaris - L.
French Bean
Large quantities of the raw mature seed are poisonous. Children eating just a few seeds have shown mild forms of poisoning with nausea and diarrhoea, though complete recovery took place in 12 - 24 hours. The toxins play a role in protecting the plant from insect predation
I recently posted on the Bargains section about a collection of dwarf french beans seed from Dobies. The description said:
A selection of four varieties - Ferrari, Masterpiece, Purple Teepee and Maradonna separately named and packed. Each packet contains sufficient seed to raise a minimum of 20-25 plants. Never eat pods raw. Maturing time 12 weeks from sowing. Also known as Kidney Beans.
(the bold lettering is theirs not mine)
Got me worried now :o Ate raw Purple Queen the other night (but only the one).........
As I understand it they (beans) all contain the toxin but in very different levels. OH is always nibbling but has come to no harm..
;D
Using common sense then, I'd try a few. You're not going to face a sudden excruciating death. Like you NP, I love raw veg and have never come to any harm, that I know of. As my mum used to say as I was growing up, "They might give you collywobbles." (Her definition of every conceivable internal malfunction.) It must have been tough for the ancients, sampling the multitude of leaves and berries and twigs without having somebody round every corner handing out warning notices. Sorry if I sound blasé. ;D
Geoff.
I must say I was surprised by this - firstly seeing the warning on the seed ad and then this thread popping up at the same time. It's something I've never seen discussed on the forum before, though others may be better placed to say.
Speaking as someone who never even washes home grown veg if there's a pair of sleeves handy, I'd probably scoff 'em anyway!
;D
I ate 3 or 4 on Thursday and I'm still here! but then maybe red wine is an antidote!
Phew Amazin, so it isn't just me that doesn't wash the veg when it comes off the plot!
I eat raw beans regularly, and something else I have done for years is chuck dried beans into a stew or soup, without soaking them first! Not saying do this, maybe I have the constitution of an ox. :-\ I always believed it was the bean that was dodgy, so if you are picking them young and tender, before the bean has really started to develop, surely in moderation they are okay?
I think the problem here is that we are so ruddy belt and braced with Health and Safety, that manufacturers, etc, etc, put these warnings on products to be covered against litigation if anyone should have the misfortune to be affected.
I think its yet another example of nannying gone mad.
valmarg
Good on yer, EJ - it's nice to meet a fellow member of the 'Great Unwashed' (veg dept) !
I think you will find with dried beans that a few tossed into soup won't hurt but if making Boston Baked Beans or using loads of kidney beans in chili to be safe you should soak the beans overnight, drain, replace water , bring to boil, discard water, replace again then continue cooking.
I have always done this as with Boston Bakedm all you are basically eating is the beans with a chunk of bread and that is a lot of beans.
As I collect beans( and a couple of other things too) I tend to read up on different varieties and I have to admit truthfully some I dare not grow.
Jicamas are poisonous, both seeds and pods but are eaten as immature beans in the Phillipines,the same goes for Chinese Hyacinth beans(red and white types) All of these are available in bean seed catalogues and do carry a warning.
I have never been too concerned with any of the others I grow and have eaten them raw often but not many at a time, when I cook I do change the water and feel quite confident with that, however as the ones above apparently are only safe if young I have never found the courage to risk them.
Because I do buy quite a few different ones from all over the world I do tend to check them out though .
XX Jeannine