Dark Red Kidney Bean

Thursday, 08 October 2009 12:18

The Dark Red Kidney Bean is the famous dry bean that is used in Chili Con Carne and various other well known dishes. This variety is also known as the Red Bean, which sometimes causes confusion between it and the Adzuki Bean. The Red Kidney is a medium sized variety of the common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris) and features a dark red shell with a cream colored flesh. Its popularity can be attributed to its excellent flavor and many uses. Dark Red Kidney Beans are a bush variety which are produced on a sturdy plant which yields an abundance of hearty pods that contain five large red, kidney shaped beans. Kidney Beans may be dried or canned, but either way, great care must be taken to boil Kidney Beans for at least 10 minutes before consuming them. Kidney Beans contain a toxic compund called lectin phytohaemagglutinin which can cause severe stomach upset if the beans are eaten raw. Boiling degrades this compound. Matures in 95 days. Go to table of bean varieties