Bean, Navy

Description

Navy beans are small, pea-sized beans with a creamy white color. Also called haricot bean or white pea bean, this mild-flavored bean was a staple food of the United States Navy in the early 20th century, giving them their current moniker. Like other common beans, navy beans are one of 13,000 species of legumes (plants that produce edible pods).

Combined with whole grains such as rice, navy beans provide virtually fat-free high quality protein. Navy beans are an excellent source of cholesterol-lowering fiber, as are most other beans. Navy beans are also a very good source of folate and manganese and a good source vitamin B1, as well as the minerals phosphorus, copper, magnesium and iron.

These dense, smooth tasting beans are perfect for making baked beans and hearty soup.

To cook, soak beans overnight, rinse, add fresh water and bring to a boil, then turn down to simmer and cook until soft.