Black beans are a product often found in culinary delights; they are used in cooking and even medicine. But before doing this, it is recommended to thoroughly study its benefits, harms, possible contraindications, and side effects.
What it looks like, a brief description and characteristics
Black beans resemble beans that have been dyed black or dark burgundy. They have a firm, dense texture with a smooth, glossy surface. This crop belongs to the legume family. They have a very bright, rich flavor, similar to the aftertaste of smoked foods.
100 grams of the product contains approximately 340 calories. It is rich in protein, healthy carbohydrates, and minerals. It is a highly nutritious and healthy product, which is why it is often consumed by dieters, and vegetarians add it to their diets in place of the forbidden meat.
Beneficial properties
Black beans are a highly nutritious food, containing a number of essential nutrients, including vitamins E, K, PP, B, zinc, potassium, iron, calcium, phosphorus, selenium, and others. They are also rich in amino acids, micronutrients, and macronutrients. The benefits of black beans for the human body are multifaceted, and their properties can be summarized as follows:
- saturating the body with substances necessary for full vital activity;
- balancing insulin levels;
- normalization of the gastrointestinal tract;
- increasing potency, improving sperm quality for men;
- improvement of skin condition;
- strengthening hair, teeth, nails.
This product is beneficial for all groups of people. Men need it to support reproductive function and build muscle mass, while women need it to stay beautiful and youthful. It is also recommended for lactation, as black beans help increase milk production.
Possible contraindications and side effects
Black beans have benefits and risks, just like any other food. Their consumption can have a negative impact on human health if contraindications are not followed. These include:
- any disorders of the gastrointestinal tract;
- gout;
- children under 12 years of age;
- with caution during pregnancy.
In rare cases, an allergic reaction to this type of legume may occur, manifesting as skin redness or itching. It is recommended to take anti-allergy medication and limit your consumption of this product in the future.
You may be interested in:Varieties
Experienced gardeners who grow this crop distinguish several varieties, each differing in appearance and use.
- Black opal is a rare variety of bean, characterized by round, greenish-hued beans. Each bean weighs up to 0.5 grams. Its pleasant flavor makes it widely used in cooking.
- Kidney beans are the largest variety of bean, with a single bean weighing up to 1.5 grams. When cooked, they develop a pleasant aroma similar to freshly baked bread.
- Octava is the most widely used culinary variety due to its long-term storage and freezing properties. The average weight of a single bean is approximately 0.9 grams.
- Protvá is an early-harvest variety. This variety can be recognized while still growing by its bright emerald leaves. The average bean weight is 0.52 to 0.54 grams.
It's difficult to identify the variety of a bean from a photo. They can all appear similar in shape and size. Experienced cooks distinguish them by taste and smell, while gardeners distinguish them by their growth characteristics, plant height, and leaf color. Black beans are easy to care for and grow in abundance. One of the rare varieties is the preto bean, which has a pleasant, rich flavor.
Use in folk medicine
When comparing the health benefits and harms, the positive effects are undoubtedly more common. This is why black beans are often featured in folk medicine recipes. Their use is known to lower blood sugar levels. To prepare an infusion for diabetes treatment, you will need the following ingredients:
- black beans – 50 grams;
- boiled water – 400 milliliters.
The beans should be ground into a powder. Carefully pour this powder into a thermos and add boiled water. Close the thermos tightly. The healing infusion should steep for at least 12 hours. Strain it. Drink half a glass before meals.
How is it used in cosmetology?
Eating beans internally is beneficial for women. Regularly adding them to your diet will help maintain youthful, firm skin. Women watching their figure can replace high-calorie foods with beans. Beans are also widely used in cosmetology, where they are used to make nourishing facial masks. To prepare this remedy, you will need:
- any variety of black beans;
- olive oil;
- lemon juice.
The main ingredient must be boiled first, then softened to form a soft paste. Add olive oil and lemon juice. Apply the product to cleansed skin, leave it to absorb for 20 minutes, rinse with cool water, and apply a nourishing or moisturizing cream. This mask should be used once a week.
Recipes
Beans are widely used for medicinal and cosmetic purposes, but they are most often grown for culinary use. They are used to create a variety of dishes at home or in prestigious public establishments, such as a flavorful vegetable stew or a piquant salad.
Vegetable stew
Vegetable stew is a healthy and low-calorie dish. Adding black beans makes it even more filling and nutritious. To recreate this culinary delight, you'll need the following ingredients:
- green peas – 100 grams;
- fresh zucchini – 200 grams;
- spices (paprika, salt, pepper) – to taste;
- vegetable oil - a small amount for frying;
- garlic – 2 cloves;
- onion – 100 grams;
- dry black beans – 200 grams.
The beans should be pre-cooked until tender. Pour vegetable oil into a preheated frying pan, then gradually add the onion, sliced zucchini, cooked beans, and garnish. Add a small amount of water and spices. Simmer over low heat for 30 minutes.
You may be interested in:Spicy salad
The same old salads always get boring on the holiday table. Surprise your guests by preparing a hearty, savory salad with black beans. To make it, you'll need:
- boiled chicken fillet – 200 grams;
- black beans – 80 grams;
- purple onion – 1 medium head;
- leaf lettuce;
- parsley;
- tomato paste – 1 teaspoon;
- olive oil – for dressing;
- spices (salt, pepper, oregano) – to taste.
The beans should be pre-boiled for an hour and then cooled. Chop the cooked chicken, purple onion, lettuce, and parsley and add to the beans. Dress the salad with oil, tomato paste, and spices. It is recommended to preheat the tomato paste in a dry frying pan or double boiler.
Selecting and preparing a landing site
Black beans can be purchased at any grocery store. You can also grow them yourself in your garden or dacha. Growing all varieties This garden crop is identical. The first step is choosing the most suitable location. It is recommended to grow it in the brightest and sunniest area. Otherwise, its yield will be low.
The second important factor is relative dryness. This crop dies from excess moisture, so there's no point in planting it near groundwater; it's better to sow the seeds at a higher elevation. The soil for planting should be prepared in the fall; simply digging the bed to a depth of 25 to 30 centimeters is sufficient.
Seed preparation and sowing
Planting should be done at the same time as cucumbers. The soil should already be well warmed by sunlight. Spring arrives at different times in different regions, but gardeners typically plant black beans from the second half of April to the end of March. The start of planting can be signaled by the blossoming of the chestnut tree, if it's available in the region.
The seeds should be pre-soaked in water and left overnight. In the morning, once they've swollen, they're ready to plant. The process is simple. Simply make a furrow 5 to 8 centimeters deep in the bed, water it with a weak solution of potassium permanganate, and distribute the seeds 25 to 30 centimeters apart. The final step is to cover the seeds with soil.
Plant care
Black beans are a heat-loving plant, so it's recommended to cover them with a thick protective film during rainy periods or cold spells. Care for them is the same as for all other garden plants: regular watering, weeding, and loosening of the soil.
Hilling the soil is essential. This process is necessary to support the plant's rhizome. Failure to do so can cause it to break, resulting in the death of the plant. Hilling should begin when the plant reaches 7 to 10 centimeters in height. Eight days after the pods begin to set, the beans will be ripe and ready for harvesting.
Selection and storage
Growing a bountiful harvest of beans is easy. However, proper storage is essential. To do this, sort the beans and dry them for several days. Transfer them to jars or cloth bags. Store them in a cool, dry place with temperatures no higher than 10 degrees Celsius and humidity levels no higher than 50 percent.
When choosing beans at the grocery store, check the expiration date on the packaging. It's recommended to inspect the contents of the package; the beans should be firm, whole, and smooth, and not sticking together. Cracks or insect marks indicate poor quality.
Reviews from gardeners
Catherine
I've been using a black bean face mask for about a year. I've already noticed positive results—my skin looks fresher and the dark circles under my eyes have disappeared. The only downside is that it takes a long time to cook the beans until they soften. I add rosehip and almond oil to the mask to make it even more nourishing.
Victoria
We're a vegetarian family. So, to get the nutrients we need, we regularly add black beans to our meals. Last year, we decided to try planting them ourselves at our dacha and were pleased with the harvest. The main challenge is avoiding excessive soil dryness and overwatering. Both situations lead to the death of the plant.
Black beans contain a number of vitamins essential for healthy functioning. It's recommended to add them to your meals. However, before doing so, be sure to check for any potential harm by reviewing the contraindications and possible side effects.
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