Navy beans and other dried beans are known as Phaseolus vulgaris and are referred to as “common beans” because they all come from a common bean ancestor that originated in Peru. Navy beans are about the size of a pea, mild in flavor, and one of 13,000 species in the family of legumes.
Navy (or haricot) beans are the raw material used for baked beans, as well as fresh market use, and are mostly imported. They belong to the same species as green beans (Phaseolus vulgaris) and have many aspects of husbandry in common.
Navy bean seeds are planted in a vegetable garden area as a dry bean. The beans grow as a vine plant and are harvested at maturity 70 to 120 days after planting. Navy bean pods grow up to 12 inches long and are mature once they become dry and the leaves fall off the plant.
Navy (Pea) Beans
Also called pea beans, Navy beans are small, oval-shaped, and quick-cooking. Because they get creamy when cooked, they’re perfect for mashing against the side of the pot, pureeing in dips, and thickening soups, stews, ragouts, and more.
As you have probably guessed, small white beans are a type of bean. They are also sometimes referred to as navy beans, but they are not blue. Instead, they are white as their name would suggest.
Navy Beans are small, oval-shaped beans with white skin. They have a mild, delicate flavor. These are the beans used for the famous Boston Baked Beans. These white beans were named Navy Beans because of their inclusion in the U.S. Naval diet during the second half of the 19th Century.
Great northern beans are large, oval, and have a thin skin. In comparison, navy beans are much smaller, plumper, and have thicker skin. The flavors of great northern and navy beans are both delicate and mild. It’s difficult to distinguish between them by flavor alone.
Lectins are glycoproteins that are present in a wide variety of commonly-consumed plant foods. Some are not harmful, but the lectins found in undercooked and raw beans are toxic. While you might assume that consuming raw beans would provide better nutrition, you’re wrong.
Which bean is the easiest to grow?
Bean Varieties that are Best Bets and Easy to Grow include snap-bush green beans, snap-pole green beans, bush yellow beans, lima beans, and dried and shell beans.
The most important point about growing beans is not to plant them too early. They will rot in cool, damp soil. Even so, many beans require a long growing season of 80 days or more.
How to Grow Navy Beans | Guide to Growing Navy Beans.
| Seed Starting Guide | |
|---|---|
| Seed Starting A-Z | Calendar |
| Growing Tomatoes | Seed Saving |
Lima beans, also known as Butter Beans. Great northern, also called “large white” beans, are larger than navy beans as well, but smaller than cannellini beans. They have a flattened shape similar to lima beans and a delicate flavor.
They have a similar texture and a near identical nutritional profile. The only significant difference is that navy beans have a more mild flavor and soak up other flavoring ingredients a bit better.
Where can I find information about the kinds of dry beans produced in each U.S. state?
Which U.S. states are the top producers of dry beans?
| 1. | North Dakota | 32% |
|---|---|---|
| 2. | Michigan | 17% |
| 3. | Nebraska | 11% |
| 4. | Minnesota | 9% |
| 5. | Idaho | 8% |
Which beans are least gassy?
Among beans, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) says that black beans, navy beans, kidney beans and pinto beans are more likely to give you gas. Black-eyed beans on the other hand, are among the least gassy beans, according to the Cleveland Clinic.
Which beans used in baked beans?
Canned baked beans are used as a convenience food; most are made from haricot beans (aka navy beans) in sauce.
Navy beans, also known as haricot beans, are a great source of fiber, B vitamins, and other minerals.
You can harvest the beans when they are green to be used whole as green beans, or you can let the plants die off and dry out at the end of the summer and then collect the dried beans for storage.
Taste of Navy Beans vs Pinto Beans
Navy beans – Most well known for being the go-to bean in baked or BBQ bean recipes. They have a mild flavor and really soak up flavors from sauces, along with having a soft and creamy texture. Pinto beans – A pale bean with creamy but “chunky” texture, and a bit of a nutty taste.
Substitute for Navy Beans
You can substitute Great Northern Beans (larger) OR – White Kidney Beans (Canellini beans) OR – Flageolet beans.
Which white beans are the healthiest?
The bottom line
Though they come in several varieties, cannellini beans tend to be the most popular. Due to their high fiber and protein content, they may help support a healthy body weight, muscle mass, and digestion.
Navy beans
These are another easy substitute to use in place of butter beans in recipes like soups and casseroles. Navy beans have a flavor that can be described as creamy, slightly nutty and mild which means it will not over power any meal.
Justin Shelton is a professional cook. He’s been in the industry for over 10 years, and he loves nothing more than creating delicious dishes for others to enjoy. Justin has worked in some of the best kitchens in the country, and he’s always looking for new challenges and ways to improve his craft. When he’s not cooking, Justin enjoys spending time with his wife and son. He loves exploring new restaurants and trying out different cuisines.