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I'm really confused about different types of beans.

Ok, so we have Runner beans and French beans. What about green beans which we see in the supermarkets? Are these French beans?

Also, my mum says that her mum used to grow Kidney beans. The only Kidney beans that I know are the red ones which you have in Chilli Con Carne, but my mum says that they were green and cooked in the pod. Is this another name for Runner beans or French beans?

What about Haricot beans and Fava beans. Are these another type of bean completely?

Jo.

I remember my Mum calling runner beans kidney beans when I was young, I suppose most beans are kidney shaped really.  I always thought green beans in the supermarket are french beans but I might be wrong...

Confusing isn't it?!!

I think there are people who know more than me out there...

T.

Yes - confusing. Fava is Broad.

Does this help?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Navy_bean

My understanding is that green beans are French beans and that some older gardeners call runners kidney - they do on my site, but that the kidneys you get in the tin are not runner beans.  I also assume that string beans are also French beans.  French beans can also be called Kenya beans too.

French beans covers a vast number of varieties, they can be dwarf or climbing.

Runner beans are a different family completely, they also can be climbing or dwarf.

Kenya beans are filet beans and are listed in a seperate place in seeds catalogues.They come green and yellow.They are dwarf . Differnt growing habits to other bush beans, and very very slender.

Kidney beans are often called runner beans incorrectly but if runner  beans are left to dry on the vine they will be kidey type beans as the beans dry hard and maroon.

Canned kidney beans are a differnt variety ot any above, Montclare is a good one of you want to grow your own.

Technically fava beans and broad beans are the same, but the US fava beans are smaller and not as meaty.

Navy beans are one of hundreds of beans that are grown specifically for drying,navy ones are the bean in baked beans, beans for drying come in hundreds of colors, most can be eaten as green, some are dwarf or bush. some are climbing or pole and some are semi climbing.

Some freeze well and others don't.

XX Jeannine

Quote from: Jeannine on August 18, 2008, 23:23:28
Canned kidney beans are a differnt variety ot any above, Montclare is a good one of you want to grow your own.

XX Jeannine

Jeannine, would you know of a supplier please? 

Canadain one, but there are many varieties of beans if you want them for drying, I can find you some seeds if you PM your address.

If you particularrly want a plain red kidney bean I am sure I have some, might not be Montclare though as I have them shipped over and have used them up.

XX Jeannine

Jeannine do you have an allotment or a farm it sound like you grow loads where do you fit it all in. i know what everyone is thinking and yes i am being a nosy Parker, but I'm new here and from Jeannine post so far i think she's brill :D maybe one of A4A's celebrities 8)

Quote from: Jeannine on August 19, 2008, 12:54:59
Canadain one, but there are many varieties of beans if you want them for drying, I can find you some seeds if you PM your address.

If you particularrly want a plain red kidney bean I am sure I have some, might not be Montclare though as I have them shipped over and have used them up.

XX Jeannine

That's really kind Jeannine - thank you!  It is just a plain red kidney bean I'm after, don't mind what variety.  I'll PM you. 

Thanks for your replies. It has certainly cleared up some of my questions.

I thought that baked beans were Haricot beans though  ???  :-\  Are Navy beans Haricot beans???

Jo

.. Haricot is a family of beans..navy is one of them so a navy is a haricot  along with many others.XX Jeannine

Locally people sell from their gardens 'stick beans' I'm assuming that means runners!

 Hi again thifasmom.

No . I don't have a farm, just 2 lotties and a garden..but.

We did live on the border of the US and Canada for most of our adult life,(came back here 7 years ago) we lived on  10 acres then and I developed  a special interest in some veggies and had the opportunity to induge it.

I  had a sweetcorn farm on one side of me and a farm that specialised in pumpkins on the other.

Down the road was  a seed company with their growing areas almost adjoining us, we made good friends with  them and our other neighbours who were also members of our church, so I  got bitten by the growing bug too.

I have been specially interested in squash for many years and have a large collection of seeds. They fascinate me and I have 1 lottie just for them.

Tomatoes and beans are my follow up love and like the squash I have too many varieties to admit to !!

Corn too is something I have grown a lot of.

However, I am rotten at brassicas, can't grow a turnip, and every flower I have ever tried has dropped dead on me.

Peas seem to croak if I walk by, I am lucky to get pound a season, no matter how hard I try.

I always admire the gardener that grow anything,  but not me sadly.

XX Jeannine