Dry Bean

What is Dry Bean?

Dry beans are a staple food that has been consumed by humans for thousands of years. They are the seeds of plants belonging to the legume family, which includes over 18,000 species. When the beans mature on the plant, they are left to dry out, which is where they get their name. Dry beans come in a variety of shapes and sizes, but they are all characterized by their tough outer shells and soft, starchy interior.

One of the most interesting things about dry beans is that they have a very long shelf life. When stored properly, they can last for years without spoiling. This is because dry beans are very low in moisture, which makes it difficult for bacteria and mold to grow. However, it is important to note that even though dry beans can last for a long time, they can still lose their flavor and texture over time. For this reason, it is recommended that you use them within a year of purchasing them.

Dry beans are a flexible food ingredient that can be incorporated into an array of dishes, ranging from soups and stews to dips and salads. They offer a rich source of plant-based protein, fiber, and other crucial nutrients, making them a popular choice for those following vegetarian and vegan diets. Dry beans are commonly used in traditional dishes from various cultures, including chili con carne, hummus, and cassoulet. Altogether, dry beans are a significant and healthy food that has been relished by individuals worldwide for centuries.

Dry Bean Production in the World

India is the top country producing dry beans in the world. As of 2022, India produced 6,610,000 tonnes of dry beans, accounting for 23.32% of the total production. Brazil is the world's second-largest dry bean producer, with 2,842,395 tonnes, which represents 10.03% of the total production. In terms of dry bean yield, Mali is the most productive country on the planet with 100,434. Myanmar, Tanzania, and Uganda are the top three leading countries with '2,663,278', '1,347,585', '1,304,563', and '1,283,994' tonnes respectively. Puerto Rico has the lowest production of dry beans in the world with only 61 tonnes in 2022. The world's total production of dry beans was estimated at 28,346,201 tonnes in 2022.

Source: FAOSTAT

Top 10 Countries by Dry Bean Production in 2022

Top Countries by Production of Dry Bean in 2022

Rank	Country	Production(Tonnes)	Acreage(Hectare)	Yield
1	India	6,610,000	15,853,351	4,169
2	Brazil	2,842,395	2,607,616	10,900
3	Myanmar	2,663,278	2,860,735	9,310
4	Tanzania	1,347,585	1,003,397	13,430
5	Uganda	1,304,563	730,817	17,851
6	China	1,283,994	727,963	17,638
7	United States	1,172,400	491,055	23,875
8	Mexico	1,002,448	1,453,213	6,898
9	Argentina	679,744	535,466	12,694
10	Ethiopia	619,096	379,909	16,296
11	Kenya	513,000	1,043,288	4,917
12	Burundi	499,310	859,236	5,811
13	Mozambique	469,886	566,127	8,300
14	Rwanda	449,448	634,192	7,087
15	Cameroon	387,660	297,526	13,029
16	Angola	358,209	701,036	5,110
17	North Korea	327,915	372,868	8,794
18	Canada	312,994	117,300	26,683
19	Kazakhstan	307,867	278,181	11,067
20	Democratic Republic of the Congo	271,979	498,924	5,451
21	Belarus	271,889	96,743	28,104
22	Turkiye	270,000	97,049	27,821
23	Malawi	225,022	353,708	6,362
24	Nicaragua	219,888	242,364	9,073
25	Togo	216,518	394,376	5,490
26	Australia	215,821	118,258	18,250
27	Ghana	194,636	128,384	15,161
28	Mali	165,520	16,481	100,434
29	Iran	160,017	86,129	18,579
30	Egypt	159,418	43,816	36,384
31	Chad	159,011	229,515	6,928
32	Guatemala	152,688	150,095	10,173
33	Vietnam	150,069	123,296	12,171
34	Benin	142,002	147,808	9,607
35	Pakistan	139,405	224,817	6,201
36	Honduras	130,907	163,192	8,022
37	Venezuela	120,900	147,814	8,179
38	Colombia	115,330	85,225	13,532
39	El Salvador	105,629	106,204	9,946
40	Bolivia	105,322	82,800	12,720
41	Indonesia	98,000	104,342	9,392
42	Thailand	88,827	116,654	7,615
43	Kyrgyzstan	88,744	51,875	17,107
44	Peru	87,701	68,237	12,852
45	Haiti	82,745	268,921	3,077
46	Bangladesh	80,553	87,500	9,206
47	Cambodia	80,286	66,764	12,025
48	Madagascar	76,330	64,644	11,808
49	Cuba	69,193	72,147	9,591
50	Zambia	60,262	96,448	6,248
51	Ukraine	58,870	37,000	15,911
52	South Africa	52,590	42,900	12,259
53	Japan	50,600	29,400	17,211
54	Paraguay	48,061	73,040	6,580
55	Dominican Republic	39,433	37,323	10,565
56	Cote d'Ivoire	38,138	44,838	8,506
57	Philippines	36,849	41,477	8,884
58	Tajikistan	35,210	4,665	75,484
59	Somalia	26,800	87,518	3,062
60	Albania	21,770	12,993	16,755
61	Nepal	19,158	22,271	8,602
62	Niger	18,716	36,143	5,178
63	Zimbabwe	17,778	33,786	5,262
64	Ecuador	14,672	23,198	6,325
65	Costa Rica	14,524	20,067	7,238
66	Mauritania	13,481	11,096	12,149
67	Sudan	12,401	3,569	34,745
68	Taiwan	12,283	6,115	20,086
69	Russia	10,312	7,188	14,346
70	Timor-Leste	10,284	7,740	13,286
71	Chile	10,207	6,230	16,384
72	Djibouti	9,585	30,106	3,184
73	Moldova	9,500	20,400	4,657
74	Belize	9,358	9,235	10,133
75	Serbia	7,997	8,627	9,270
76	South Korea	7,259	5,529	13,128
77	Sri Lanka	6,493	5,846	11,107
78	Lesotho	6,439	19,766	3,258
79	North Macedonia	6,414	5,028	12,757
80	Azerbaijan	6,146	2,767	22,211
81	Panama	6,062	13,363	4,536
82	Bosnia and Herzegovina	5,793	3,049	19,000
83	Turkmenistan	5,700	1,531	37,242
84	Iraq	5,601	1,194	46,916
85	Lao PDR	4,955	2,804	17,672
86	Republic of Congo	4,423	5,392	8,204
87	South Sudan	3,840	1,231	31,198
88	Algeria	3,291	3,514	9,365
89	Uruguay	3,173	5,004	6,342
90	Yemen	3,106	1,364	22,772
91	Georgia	2,900	2,700	10,741
92	Lebanon	2,817	1,028	27,390
93	Armenia	2,161	1,000	21,608
94	Libya	1,239	360	34,396
95	Syria	1,029	602	17,093
96	Eswatini	738	1,507	4,898
97	Bhutan	364	425	8,554
98	Tunisia	253	313	8,078
99	Montenegro	253	40	62,857
100	Grenada	131	103	12,788
101	Jamaica	130	126	10,317
102	Namibia	128	85	15,052
103	Eritrea	121	1,879	643
104	Barbados	119	20	58,248
105	Dominica	81	79	10,207
106	Puerto Rico	61	112	5,446

Health Benefits of Dry Bean

Dry beans are known for their numerous health benefits, thanks to their high nutrient content. Here are some of the health benefits of dry beans:

Excellent source of plant-based protein: Dry beans are a valuable source of protein, particularly for individuals adhering to a vegetarian or vegan diet, as they contain all the essential amino acids required for muscle tissue building and repair.
High in fiber: Dry beans are rich in fiber, which plays a vital role in maintaining digestive health and reducing cholesterol levels. Additionally, fiber promotes satiety, which can aid in managing body weight.
Rich in vitamins and minerals: Dry beans provide a variety of important vitamins and minerals, including folate, iron, magnesium, and potassium. Folate is necessary for DNA synthesis and cell division, iron supports healthy blood cells, magnesium promotes bone health, and potassium helps regulate blood pressure.
May reduce the risk of chronic diseases: Regular consumption of dry beans has been found in studies to potentially lower the risk of chronic diseases, such as heart disease, diabetes, and some types of cancer. This may be due to the high antioxidant content and anti-inflammatory properties of dry beans.
Can aid in blood sugar control: Dry beans have a low glycemic index, which means they are digested slowly and can help regulate blood sugar levels. This makes them a good food choice for those with diabetes or anyone looking to stabilize their blood sugar levels.

Overall, dry beans are a nutritious and delicious food that can provide many health benefits when consumed regularly as part of a balanced diet.

Nutritional Information of Dry Bean

Here are the approximate nutrition values for dry beans per 100 grams:

Calories: 336
Protein: 21.42 grams
Fat: 1.53 grams
Carbohydrates: 60.19 grams
Fiber: 15.0 grams
Sugar: 2.28 grams
Calcium: 56 milligrams
Iron: 4.31 milligrams
Magnesium: 107 milligrams
Phosphorus: 333 milligrams
Potassium: 1184 milligrams
Sodium: 6 milligrams
Zinc: 3.07 milligrams
Vitamin C: 0 milligrams
Thiamin: 0.435 milligrams
Riboflavin: 0.162 milligrams
Niacin: 2.53 milligrams
Vitamin B6: 0.436 milligrams
Folate: 358 micrograms
Vitamin A: 0 IU
Vitamin E: 0.35 milligrams
Vitamin K: 9 micrograms

It is important to note that the exact nutrition values can vary slightly depending on the type of dry bean. Additionally, the method of preparation can also affect the nutrient content. For example, soaking and cooking dry beans can reduce their anti-nutrient content and make certain nutrients more bioavailable.

Types of Dry Bean

There are many different types of dry beans, each with its unique flavor, texture, and culinary uses. Here are some of the most popular types of dry beans:

Kidney beans: These beans are large and kidney-shaped, with a deep red color. They have a slightly sweet flavor and a creamy texture and are often used in chili, soups, and stews.
Black beans: These beans are small and round, with shiny black skin. They have a mild, slightly sweet flavor and a soft, creamy texture. Black beans are often used in Latin American cuisine and are a staple ingredient in dishes such as black bean soup, burritos, and tacos.
Navy beans: These small, white beans have a mild, nutty flavor and a creamy texture. They are often used in baked beans, soups, and stews.
Garbanzo beans (chickpeas): These beans are round and beige, with a slightly nutty flavor and a firm texture. They are commonly used in Mediterranean and Middle Eastern cuisine and are a key ingredient in dishes such as hummus, falafel, and chana masala.
Lima beans: Also known as butter beans, these large, flat beans have a delicate, buttery flavor and a creamy texture. They are often used in soups, stews, and casseroles.
Pinto beans: These beans are medium-sized and oval-shaped, with a beige-pink color and a slightly sweet, earthy flavor. They are commonly used in Mexican cuisine and are a key ingredient in dishes such as refried beans and chili con carne.
Lentils: Although not technically a bean, lentils are a type of legume that is often used as a substitute for beans. They come in a variety of colors, including green, brown, and red, and have a mild, earthy flavor and a soft, grainy texture. Lentils are commonly used in soups, stews, and salads.

These are just a few examples of the many types of dry beans available. Other popular varieties include cannellini beans, adzuki beans, and mung beans.

Uses of Dry Bean

Dry beans are an incredibly versatile ingredient that can be used in a wide variety of dishes. Here are some common uses of dry beans:

Soups and stews: Dry beans are a popular ingredient in soups and stews, adding protein, fiber, and texture. They can be used in hearty vegetable soups, chili, or in traditional bean soups such as minestrone or split pea soup.
Salads: Cooked and cooled dry beans can be added to salads for a protein boost, adding texture and flavor. Popular bean salads include three-bean salad, black bean salad, and chickpea salad.
Side dishes: Dry beans can be served as a simple side dish, seasoned with herbs and spices, or cooked with vegetables. They are often served alongside rice or as a filling for baked potatoes.
Vegetarian and vegan dishes: Because dry beans are an excellent source of plant-based protein, they are often used in vegetarian and vegan dishes as a meat substitute. For example, black bean burgers or lentil meatballs can be a tasty alternative to traditional meat dishes.
Dips and spreads: Dry beans can be pureed and used as a base for dips and spreads. Hummus, made from pureed chickpeas, is a popular example.
Baked goods: Cooked, mashed beans can be used as a substitute for butter or oil in baked goods, adding fiber and reducing the fat content. For example, black bean brownies are a healthier alternative to traditional brownies.

These are just a few examples of the many uses for dry beans. They are a versatile and nutritious ingredient that can be used in countless ways in the kitchen.