Navy bean

The navy bean is a small white bean.

It has an oval shape. These beans first grew in the Americas. Some plants grow like a small bush. Other plants grow like a vine.

People use them in soup or pie. The US Navy has served them to sailors. They are a very good food for people. You can keep dried beans in a cool place.

The navy bean is a small white bean.

It has an oval shape. These beans first grew in the Americas. Some plants grow like a small bush. Other plants grow like a vine.

Many people call them by different names. They are also called haricot beans or pea beans. The name "navy bean" comes from the US Navy. The Navy has served them to sailors since the mid-1800s. In Australia, people grew them during World War II. This was to give food to troops. Some people even called them "Yankee beans" during that time.

Navy beans are a good food. They have protein and fiber. They also have folate and copper. You can use them in soup or bean pies. To keep them fresh, store them in a cool, dark place. Dried beans can last for one to four years. If you want to replant them, keep them in good conditions. Do not eat beans that are not pure white. This may mean they were not dried well.

The navy bean is a small and useful food.

It is a type of common bean. These beans are white and have an oval shape. They are often a bit flat. People use them in many tasty meals. You might find them in baked beans or warm soups. Some people even make bean pies with them.

Growing these beans can happen in two different ways. Some plants grow as a bush type. Other plants grow as a vining type. This depends on the specific cultivar used. A cultivar is a specific type of plant.

One type is called Rainy River Robust. It can resist a common mosaic virus. Another type is called Sanilac. It was the first bush navy bean cultivar. There is also a type called Michelite. It comes from the Robust plant but has higher yields.

These beans have a very interesting history. The name "navy bean" comes from the United States Navy. The Navy has served them to sailors since the mid-1800s. This made them a staple food for many people. In Australia, navy bean production grew during World War II. It was a way to provide nutritious food to troops. Many American troops were based in Queensland. The military encouraged people to plant these beans there. Because of this, Kingaroy is known as the Baked Bean Capital of Australia.

Navy beans are packed with many helpful things for the body.

Cooked navy beans are 64% water. They are also 26% carbohydrates and 8% protein. They have very little fat. A single serving provides 140 calories of food energy. They are a rich source of folate and thiamine. They also provide copper and manganese. These minerals are important for staying healthy. They also contain phytochemicals like apigenin and saponins.

Taking care of your beans is quite easy. You should store dried or canned beans in a cool, dark place. A pantry is a great spot for this. If you want to replant seeds, they can last one to four years. If kept in good conditions, they can last almost indefinitely before cooking. You must look at the color of the beans first. They should be a pure white color. If they are discolored, do not eat them. This might mean they were not handled well while drying.

The navy bean is a specific variety of the common bean, known scientifically as Phaseolus vulgaris.

These beans are native to the Americas, where they were first domesticated. They are characterized by a dry, white appearance and an oval, slightly flattened shape. Compared to many other types of white beans, the navy bean is relatively small. This versatile legume is a staple in many different culinary traditions. It is commonly used to make baked beans, various soups, and even bean pies. One famous example is Senate bean soup.

There are different ways these plants grow depending on the specific cultivar used. A cultivar is a specific variety of a plant that has been bred for certain traits. Some navy bean plants grow as a bush type, which stays low to the ground. Other varieties are of the vining type, meaning they grow along climbing structures. Different cultivars offer different benefits to farmers and gardeners. For example, the Rainy River Robust cultivar is resistant to the bean common mosaic virus. This virus is a disease that can be transmitted through seeds. Another cultivar, Michelite, is descended from the Robust variety. It was developed to provide higher yields and better seed quality. There is also the Sanilac cultivar, which holds the distinction of being the first bush navy bean cultivar.

The history of the navy bean is closely tied to military service. The name "navy bean" is an American term used to describe them. This name was coined because the United States Navy has served these beans as a staple food to its sailors since the mid-1800s.

During World War II, the production of these beans became important in Australia. It was necessary to find an economical way to provide nutritious food to many troops. Many American troops were based in Queensland, particularly at a large military base in Kingaroy. The military actively encouraged the widespread planting of these beans in that region. Because of this history, the beans were sometimes called "the Yankee bean" during that time. Today, Kingaroy is famously known as the Baked Bean Capital of Australia.

Navy beans provide significant nutritional value when they are cooked.

When boiled, navy beans are composed of 64% water and 26% carbohydrates. They also contain 8% protein and less than 1% fat. A standard reference amount of cooked navy beans supplies 140 calories of food energy. They are a very rich source of several important nutrients. Specifically, they provide 20% or more of the Daily Value (DV) for folate and thiamine. They are also a rich source of copper and manganese, providing between 20% and 35% of the DV. Additionally, they serve as a moderate source, meaning 10% to 19% of the DV, for several other dietary minerals.

Beyond basic vitamins and minerals, navy beans contain various phytochemicals. These are natural compounds found in plants that may have different effects on the body. Some of the phytochemicals found in white beans include apigenin and saponins. They also contain ferulic acid and p-coumaric acid. These chemical components add to the complex nutritional profile of the bean. Understanding these components helps scientists and nutritionists understand how the bean affects human health. The presence of these substances makes the navy bean more than just a source of calories.

Proper storage is essential for maintaining the quality and safety of navy beans.

Both dried and canned beans can stay fresh for a long time. They should be stored in a pantry or another cool, dark place. For those using beans for farming, seed storage is also important. Under normal conditions, seeds should last between one and four years for replanting. However, if they are stored under very good conditions, seeds can be kept almost indefinitely before they are cooked. It is important to inspect the beans before use. The beans should be a pure white color. If the beans appear discolored, they should be avoided. Discoloration may indicate that the beans were poorly handled during the drying process.

The navy bean connects several different fields of study and human activity. It links the history of global warfare and military logistics to modern agriculture. The cultivation of different cultivars shows how humans use biology to resist viruses and increase food yields. In the field of nutrition, the bean serves as a model for how legumes provide essential minerals and energy. From the domestic kitchens making bean pies to the large-scale production in places like Kingaroy, the navy bean remains a vital part of the global food system.