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Humble but Healthy OFA Monthly July 2014 | The Old Farmer's Almanac

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Humble but Healthy

The Editors
July 18, 2014
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With summer well under way, gardens are thriving, farm stands are open, and even supermarkets are offering fresh, locally grown produce! Enjoy the season’s best and stock up on fresh beans—a food that may surprise you with its health benefits and versatility! From the July edition of The Old Farmer’s Almanac Monthly magazine, here’s a closer look at what beans bring to the table!

Humble but Healthy

Beans have been a mainstay of the human diet for eons. Because of this, and because beans are relatively inexpensive, snobs have dubbed them “peasant food.” No matter. Beans are not only delicious and inexpensive, but also good for you.

Green beans are chock-full of potassium, phosphorus, and calcium (230 milligrams, 42 milligrams, and 40 milligrams, respectively, per cup). They are also packed with vitamins A and C.

Yellow beans (actually green beans that are bred for lightness) lack some of the folic acid of their more verdant brothers but are super-rich in vitamins and minerals.

Cooked dried beans are hearty enough to be a main course and are also a rich source of protein. A perfect bean salad brightens up a picnic, holds its own at a barbecue, and is elegant as a light lunch.

For beautiful and delicious bean salad recipes, tips on cooking your beans, and fun facts (both bean-related and otherwise!), check out the July edition of The Old Farmer’s Almanac Monthly magazine!

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Comments

steve mazur (not verified)

8 years 8 months ago

Hi! We love our organic broad pole beans.
This year two batches of seed went to mush without germination. Lucky we saved some seed from last year. Any idea why this could be? We contacted one seed company, they were out of seed and claimed "it had been a bad year"?!
Anyone else have this issue? Thanks!

Bean seeds can sometimes rot if the soil is not warm enough. They prefer soils around 80F. They might also rot if they are planted too deep, were presoaked and developed cracks, or have been attacked by a disease, such as damping off. Too much nitrogen in the soil can also sometimes encourage seed diseases.