French Beans

French Beans

Green beans, also known as string bean, snap bean in the northeastern and western United States. Green bean cultivars have been selected especially for the fleshiness, flavor, or sweetness of their pods. Haricots verts, French for "green beans", also known as French beans, French green beans, French filet beans, Fine beans, is a variety of green bean that's longer, thinner, crisp, and tender. It is different from the haricot bean, which is a dry bean.

Varites

Bush beans are short plants, growing to approximately two feet in height, without requiring supports. They generally reach maturity and produce all of their fruit in a relatively short period of time, then cease to produce. Gardeners may grow more than one crop of bush beans in a season.

Pole beans have a climbing habit and produce a twisting vine . Runner beans have a similar habit but are a different species of bean.

Culinary Uses 

1. Ideal for cooking, French beans can be prepared whole by themselves or in a variety of savory dishes. 

2. Simply stir fried beans with butter are a relish. Enjoy them with almonds, garlic, tomatoes, or goat cheese.

3. Tiny, tender, and bright green, they are the perfect compliment to Chinese dishes and pasta.

4. Try French beans as a substitute for your favorite green bean recipe or simply blanched with butter and seasonings.

5. Cook and eat as soon as you can to preserve texture, flavour and goodness.

6. French Beans are one of the most commonly eaten green beans in India. 

7. Most Indian households make French beans as a dry vegetable either with cubed potatoes or without them. 

8. Toasting the almonds brings out the nuttiness of their flavour and adds a delicious twist to French beans.

9. Cooked beans are served with pasta.

Health benefits of Green beans:

Green beans are rich in various nutrients such as vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin K, manganese, iron, potassium, folate, calcium, magnesium and thiamin.The various health benefits of beans can be attributed to their rich store of nutrients. 

Vitamin K stimulates the process of blood coagulation whenever there is a wound or injury and prevents excess loss of blood. The vitamin also enhances the absorption of calcium in the body and this helps to boost bone strength and density. This is another important vitamin found in green beans.

Green beans are loaded with vitamin A, a powerful antioxidant which helps to protect against high cholesterol, heart disease and cancer. Vitamin A also delays the signs of premature ageing such as wrinkles, dull skin, fine lines, dark spots and dry skin. There are also substantial amounts of manganese found in green beans. Manganese helps to alleviate the symptoms of osteoporosis and also assists in the absorption of other nutrients in the body.

Green beans are packed with dietary fiber which is beneficial for those who suffer from irritable bowel syndrome. Green beans are good for those with high cholesterol since fiber helps to lower the levels of bad cholesterol in the body. People with diabetes may also include green beans in their diet since it helps to regulate blood sugar levels. 

Read More at Wikipedia.
Recipes Using French Beans see Here and Here.