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Green beans Facts

Green beans Facts
Green bean is herbaceous plant that belongs to legume family (Fabiaceae). It originates from Peru, but it can be found around the world today. People cultivate and eat green beans at least 7000 years. There are more than 130 varieties of green bean that differ in taste and in the color and size of pods. Green beans require direct sun, well drained soil and 21 to 27 degrees of Celsius for successful growth. This is the third most popular garden plant (after tomato and peppers). Unfortunately, it is often on a target of insects (which destroy leaves and pods) and it is prone to bacterial and viral diseases which decrease productivity of the plant.
Interesting Green beans Facts:
Green beans grow in the form of bush that can reach 8 to 20 inches in height or in the form of 7 to 10 feet long vine.
Leaves of green beans can be green or purple in color. They are divided in three lobes and have smooth edges. Leaves are alternately arranged on the stem.
Green beans produce white, pink or purple flowers which are usually pollinated by insects.
Pod is edible part of plant. It can be yellow, green, purple or red in color.
Each pod contains 4 to 6 beans. Most varieties of green bean have smooth, kidney shaped beans.
Green bean propagates via seed. It takes 45 to 60 days from planting to harvesting.
Best known types of green bean are string type, stringless type and runner beans. String type has either rounded or flat pod. Stringless types have pods without fibrous strings. Runner type grows in the form of vine and it is often used in a dry form.
String that stretches along the pod is not very tasty. Botanist Calvin Keeney (also known as "father of the stringless bean") removed the string from the pod via selective breeding in the 1894.
Green bean is rich source of proteins, carbohydrates and dietary fibers. It also contains vitamins of the B group, vitamins C and K and minerals such as magnesium, iron and manganese.
Green beans need to be cooked before consumption. Steaming, boiling, frying and baking are usual methods used for preparation of dishes made of green beans.
Green bean casserole is popular dish made of green beans, mushroom soup and onions. This dish is traditionally prepared for the Thanksgiving.
Raw green bean contains high content of lectins which can be harmful for human health. High temperature (during cooking) destroys lectins.
China is the greatest manufacturer of green beans. It produces and exports over 15 million tons of green beans each year.
Leaves of green bean are covered with miniature hairs which are used for trapping of the bed bugs.
Green bean is annual plant which means that it finishes its life cycle in one year.


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