Continental Beans
Estimated Inventory, lb : 0
Description/Taste
Continental beans vary in size depending on the specific variety but have a characteristic flat and elongated appearance with tapered, pointed ends. The broad, straight, and cylindrical pods are tightly adhered to the interior beans, creating a wavy, bumpy surface. Continental bean pods are typically light green and stringless, meaning they do not need to be peeled before opening. The pod’s surface is semi-smooth, taut, and velvety, and if broken in half, it should emit a snappy crunch. Inside the pod, there are 6 and 10 beans that range in color from white to green and have an oblong shape. Both the pods and beans are edible and have a crisp, snappy, crunchy, and succulent consistency. Continental beans should also have an earthy, vegetal scent when raw. Once cooked, the pods and beans soften, becoming tender without losing their shape. Continental beans have a fresh, sweet, green, and grassy taste.
Seasons/Availability
Continental beans are available year-round in Australian markets, with a peak season in the spring through late summer.
Current Facts
Continental beans, botanically classified as Phaseolus vulgaris, are a category of flat bean varieties belonging to the Fabaceae family. This term is primarily used in commercial markets throughout Australia and New Zealand for any type of bean with a flattened pod and sweet and mild flavor. Continental beans are also known as Flat Continental beans, Italian Pole, Flat, or Snap beans, and Romano beans. These varieties can be pole or bush types and are grown commercially and by home gardeners for their disease resistance, long growing season, and high yields. Continental beans are a specialty legume in Australian markets and are utilized by chefs and home cooks in a wide array of fresh and cooked preparations.
Nutritional Value
Continental beans vary in vitamin and mineral content, depending on the specific variety of flat beans sold under the Continental name. Flat beans, in general, are sources of vitamins A, B, C, and K to strengthen the immune system and maintain healthy organs. These vitamins also provide energy and aid in faster wound healing. Beyond vitamins, beans provide fiber to stimulate and regulate the digestive tract, iron to develop the protein hemoglobin for oxygen transport through the bloodstream, and calcium to protect bones and teeth. They also contribute magnesium to control nerve functions and other nutrients, such as folate.
Applications
Continental beans have a fresh, green, grassy, and subtly sweet taste suited for raw and cooked preparations. The flat pods can be incorporated whole into dishes and are favored for their ease of use and ability to add texture and a mild flavor to savory recipes. Continental beans can be eaten raw as a crunchy snack or consumed with creamy dips as an appetizer. The pods can be sliced into smaller pieces, tossed with lemon juice or vinaigrettes, and sprinkled with cheeses or fresh herbs as a salad. Continental beans can also be shelled and mashed into bean dips, used as a base layer for dishes, or incorporated into bean medleys. In Australia, Continental beans are sometimes mashed into vegetarian burger patties or simmered into soups, stews, and casseroles. The beans can also stand up to longer cooking methods and are popularly boiled, steamed, grilled, braised, and sauteed in everyday preparations. Continental beans pair well with cheeses such as feta, parmesan, and goat, nuts including almonds, pine, and walnuts, and meats like beef, pork, and poultry. Whole, unwashed Continental beans will keep for one week when stored in a sealed container in the refrigerator.
Ethnic/Cultural Info
Heirloom bean varieties, including several Italian flat types, are being sought out by the Heritage Food Crops Research Trust in New Zealand. The charitable trust aims to preserve, promote, and distribute heirloom bean varieties to raise awareness around the nutritional benefits of these varieties for diversity. The heirloom bean project is based at the trust’s headquarters in Whanganui, New Zealand, and members hope to collect samples of every bean variety being grown in New Zealand. The collected samples allow the trust to preserve the varieties and potentially use them for medicinal and health-related purposes. There are currently over 108 varieties of heirloom beans featured on the Heritage Food Crops Research Trust’s website, and to promote the cultivation of the heirloom beans, the trust notably ships seeds of these bean types for free to local gardeners.
Geography/History
Continental beans are descendants of Phaseolus vulgaris varieties first discovered in regions of Mesoamerica and South America. Beans are an ancient crop and have been growing wild for thousands of years throughout the Americas as a food source. Later in the 15th and 16th centuries, Spanish and Portuguese explorers encountered beans in the New World and carried them back to Europe. Various types of Phaseolus vulgaris were planted throughout Europe soon after their arrival, and in Italy, types of flat beans were sown in home gardens for culinary use. Flat beans were selectively bred for many years throughout Italy, and new varieties, broadly categorized under the Italian flat bean name, were chosen around the 18th century for their snappy, crisp consistency and sweet, green flavor. Much of the history of Continental beans is unknown. The term Continental is unique to Australia and New Zealand and describes many varieties of flat beans. Some historians hypothesize that some flat beans may have been introduced to the continent during the late 20th century through waves of immigration. After World War II, Australia faced labor shortages and decided to strike deals with European countries in 1945 to allow war refugees to settle on the continent. The initiative was called the “Displaced Persons” program, and by the 1950s, over 194,000 Italian immigrants had moved to Australia. This large-scale immigration led to many Italian immigrants planting traditional crops they had carried from Italy in home gardens. Other types of Continental beans were likely introduced from the United States in the 20th century and were planted throughout Australia for commercial evaluation. Today, Continental beans are grown throughout Australia and New Zealand as a specialty culinary crop. Major bean production regions include Victoria, Tasmania, and Western Australia. When in season, Continental beans are sold directly through growers at farmer’s markets or through wholesalers and supermarkets. Continental beans are also planted on a small scale in home gardens.
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