What are the benefits of green beans, how to grow and cook them correctly

Increasingly, supporters of a healthy diet are choosing green beans for their diet. It is also often called "pod". However, few people know exactly why it is useful. In the article we will tell you what the benefits of asparagus beans are, about their cultivation and care, and we will provide several recipes that will diversify your menu.

What are green beans

Some people wonder what exactly green beans are? These are unripe green shoots of common beans. Its pods are soft, so they can be easily eaten.

Why “asparagus”? The thing is that the shoots of this type of bean taste like asparagus. Look at the photo to see exactly how they look.

Composition and properties

If we talk about the beneficial properties of green beans, it is worth noting that they are a valuable source of vitamins A, C, group B, zinc, iron, magnesium, and potassium.

It has a diuretic effect and also helps to reduce weight, since its calorie content is only 24 kcal.

Green beans also contain easily digestible protein needed by the body.

The benefits of green beans

This vegetable will be especially useful for patients with diabetes due to its arginine content. It is this amino acid that significantly improves the body's ability to absorb glucose. And thanks to its high fiber content, green beans are considered indispensable in the fight against excess weight.

In addition to the obvious benefits and excellent taste, green beans also help in maintaining a vegetable garden. The presence of green beans in the garden bed repels shrews and moles. For thorough protection against these pests, plant bean bushes around the perimeter of your site and not far from other plants.

The roots of bean plants reach more than a meter in length and ozone the soil, which has a beneficial effect on the entire garden as a whole. That is why many gardeners plant green beans shortly before planting other plants.

In addition to all of the above, shoots of climbing species can be used as decoration for the wall of a house or gazebo.

The best varieties of green beans

Bean pods come in a variety of shades, ranging from green and yellow to deep purple. The length of the pods varies from 12 to 120 cm. Also many varieties They are quite unpretentious and can be grown in the shade and in the northern part of the site.

There are 3 types of green beans:

1. Bush, growing up to 30-50 cm.
2. Semi-climbing, growing up to 2 meters.
3. Curly - from 2 to 5 meters.

"Laura"

Green beans "Laura" are a bush type. One of the main advantages of this variety is its disease resistance and high yield. From the start of planting to harvest, only 50-60 days pass, which makes it possible to classify the “Laura” variety as an early ripening variety. The pods have a uniform yellowish color and reach 10-12 cm in length.

"Crane"

Asparagus beans “Zhuravushka” are a bush variety of the plant, also classified as early ripening varieties. The average time for harvest to ripen is 50 days. The height of the bushes varies around 40-50 cm. The pods are slightly curved, green in color, and reach 11-13 cm in length.The yield of the Zhuravushka variety is high.

"Snow Maiden"

Green beans “Snegurochka” are a bush type. It ripens quite early - approximately 45-50 days pass from the appearance of the first shoots to harvest. The height of the bush does not exceed 40 cm. The pods reach 16 cm in length. They are colored yellowish-green and do not have a parchment layer or fibers.

"Saksa"

Saksa beans are a bush type of plant with high productivity. This variety is early ripening, as it takes approximately 45-50 days to ripen. The height of the bushes reaches 35-40 cm, the pods are light green, 10-13 cm long.

Reference. The Saksa variety was bred by Soviet scientists specifically for cultivation in the vast expanses of the USSR. Therefore, this variety can be planted in cool climates. Remember that you need to pick the fruits of the Saksa variety green - in this case they will be soft and juicy.

"Vigna"

Cowpea beans are semi-climbing and can reach up to a meter in length. This variety came to us from Central Africa, but quickly fell in love with Russian summer residents. Cowpea is consumed in the form of young shoots, since they contain many vitamins (A, B, C) and beneficial microelements.

Important! "Vigna" loves warmth, so it is better to start planting by growing seedlings, which are then planted in open ground. However, remember that if the average temperature in your region is below 20 degrees Celsius, there is a risk that the seedlings will not take root.

"Gerda"

Green beans "Gerda" reach a height of 3 meters. This variety of climbing bean is ideal for decorating the outside wall of a house or gazebo, as it requires vertical support to grow.

This variety is considered early ripening; it takes an average of 50 days to ripen. The plant does not require special care. It is best to plant it in a sunny place well protected from the wind. The length of ripe pods can reach 30 cm. They grow a pleasant soft yellow color.

"Fatima"

Fatima beans are a climbing variety. The length of the plant reaches 3 meters in height. The variety is considered high-yielding and mid-ripening, since it takes up to 60 days to ripen.

Ripe pods are straight, light green in color, reaching a length of 25 cm. A special feature of the Fatima variety is that it has a long fruiting period.

"Matilda"

Matilda beans are distinguished from other varieties by their dark purple color. This climbing species can grow up to 3 meters in height, but do not forget about vertical support. Fruit ripening lasts about 65 days, and the length of the pods reaches 20 cm.

How to grow green beans in your own garden

A step-by-step action plan will allow you grow beans correctly and reap a rich harvest.

General recommendations

Caring for and growing green beans does not require much time and effort, but it is worth considering some features.

Since almost all varieties love warmth, choose the sunny side for planting. If you decide to grow a climbing species, do not forget to think about the necessary support for future shoots.

Attention! At temperatures below 10˚C, young shoots stop growing, and at temperatures below zero they will die altogether.

Planting time may vary depending on where you live and the weather, but usually the seeds are planted in the second half of May. In the northern regions, cultivation begins with the harvesting of seedlings.The most comfortable temperature for active growth is 20-25 degrees Celsius.

Soil preparation

It is better to start growing green beans in open ground in an area where cabbage, potatoes or cucumbers previously grew. Loose soil rich in organic matter is suitable. Also, 1-2 months before planting, take care of suitable fertilizer. Wood ash or potassium chloride are best suited for this.

Seed preparation

There are two ways to plant green beans on a plot. Most often, green beans are sown in the ground as dry seeds. But before planting, the seeds can be soaked overnight in a growth stimulator. Ash, manure or honey, which are diluted with water, are suitable for this purpose. Water the seeds covered with gauze with this mixture.

How to plant seeds

Sprinkle the planting site with ashes, mix with soil and water. Once the water has been absorbed, the plants can be planted. Asparagus bean seeds are placed in the ground to a depth of no more than 3-5 cm. For better growth, the distance between the seeds is 8-10 cm, and between the rows - 40-60 cm.

Top dressing

The first shoots begin to appear 5-7 days after planting. After approximately 4 weeks, you can fertilize the soil again. Wood ash is ideal for this.

Harvesting

Since the pods are used for food in their unripe form, it is important not to miss the moment of harvesting. The best time for this is one to two weeks after the ovaries appear. The pods are collected daily in batches of approximately the same age. This way you will give the opportunity for a new harvest to appear.

Read also:

How beans affect the male, female and children's bodies.

We choose beans by color: which beans are healthier, white or red.

How to eat green beans

Reviews about the taste of green beans are always positive, so it’s rare that a housewife will refuse to have them on her table. Green beans are suitable for fresh consumption, canning and freezing.

To keep beans fresh for the winter, wash and cut them into pieces 2-3 cm long. Throw them into boiling water for 1-2 minutes, then drain the water and pack the beans in a plastic container. In this form it is ready for freezing.

Recipes

Do you want to diversify your diet with interesting green bean dishes, but don’t know how? We will tell you how to do it in the most delicious and healthy way.

Korean salad

Ingredients for 4 servings:

1. Green beans - 200 g.
2. Onions - 70 g.
3. Carrots - 100 g.
4. Rice vinegar - 20 ml.
5. Salt - 2 g.
6. Sugar - 2 g.
7. Garlic powder - 2 g.
8. Ground coriander - 2 g.
9. Ground red pepper - 2 g.
10. Ground black pepper - 2 g.

Preparation:

1. Wash the beans, cut off the tails on both sides, then boil them in salted water for 7 minutes. After this, drain the beans in a colander, wait until all the water has drained, transfer them to a separate bowl and let cool.
2. Wash the carrots, peel and chop into strips. Place it in the bowl with the beans. Peel the onion, cut into thin half rings and add it to the same bowl.
3. Then add sugar, salt, rice vinegar and spices: garlic powder, ground coriander, black and red pepper. Add seasoning to taste - it’s better to add some and taste, and add more if necessary.
4. Mix everything and put it in the refrigerator to marinate for a day.

Garnish “Spring”

An incredibly tasty, simple and budget-friendly side dish with a spicy sauce.

Ingredients:

1. Green beans - 0.5 kg.
2. Garlic - 2 cloves.
3. Fresh ginger, grated - 1 teaspoon.
4. Fresh chili pepper - 1/4 pcs.
5. Olive oil - 2 tbsp. spoons.
6. Soy sauce - 1 tbsp. spoon.
7. Wine or apple vinegar (or lemon juice) - 1 tbsp. spoon.
8. Greens - to taste.

Preparation

Wash the green beans well, sort them, trim the ends. Place it in a pan of boiling, slightly salted water. Cook for 3-5 minutes. Then place them in a colander until the water has completely drained.

Mix oil, soy sauce, vinegar, finely chopped chili pepper, pressed garlic and grated ginger.

Place the vegetables in a convenient bowl, pour in the sauce, and mix well. Place in a heat-resistant bowl and place in an oven preheated to 200 degrees. Bake for 10 minutes. Before serving, you can sprinkle the finished dish with herbs to taste.

Harm and contraindications

Those who suffer from high acidity, gastritis, stomach or duodenal ulcers, as well as colitis, cholecystitis and gout should not get carried away with beans. To avoid flatulence, it is advisable to drain the first water when cooking.

Conclusion

Green beans are very healthy and nutritious. Moreover, you can easily grow it in your garden. It will especially appeal to those who care about their health, since regular consumption of green beans helps in the fight against vitamin deficiency, especially in the winter season. Have a delicious and healthy harvest!