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French Beans

Inventory, 10 lbs : 23.49
This item was last sold on : 06/30/22

• 76 Featured Restaurants

• 17 Recipe Ideas

• 6 ShareMarket®

Description/Taste

French beans are small, slender, and straight to slightly curved pods, averaging 7 to 10 centimeters in length, and have a cylindrical shape with tapered, pointed ends. The pods are semi-smooth and fleshy with a crisp, firm, and tender consistency. Depending on the variety, the pods can also be found in dark green, purple, and cream-colored hues. Underneath the surface, each pod contains several tiny seeds that are tightly encased in the center, extending the length of the pod. The seeds are vibrant green and are semi-starchy and soft in texture. French beans have a faint grassy aroma and are sweet, vegetal, and subtly earthy with fresh green nuances.

Seasons/Availability

French beans are generally available in the late spring through fall. In milder climates, the beans can be grown year-round.

Current Facts

French beans, botanically classified as Phaseolus vulgaris, are a tender, flavorful type of bean belonging to the Fabaceae family. Many different bean cultivars are generally categorized under French beans, and varieties can be of the pole or bush types, found in varying colors. French beans are also known as Filet beans, French Green Beans, Fine Beans, Haricots Verts Filets Extra-Fins, and Haricots Verts, and are specifically bred for their pods rather than their seeds. The beans are typically hand-harvested from plants and are picked early to ensure a tender texture and a rich flavor. Chefs utilize French beans primarily in their fresh state, and the beans are rarely grown for processing and canning. When lightly cooked, French beans provide earthy, sweet, and vegetal flavors, and they are a popular supporting side to rich, savory main dishes.

Nutritional Value

French beans are a good source of vitamin C to strengthen the immune system, vitamin K to assist in faster wound healing, fiber to regulate the digestive tract, and copper to build connective tissue. The beans are also a source of vitamin A to maintain healthy organ functioning, calcium to protect bones and teeth, potassium to balance fluid levels, and other amounts of iron, magnesium, phosphorus, and vitamins B1 and B2.

Applications

French beans have a grassy, vegetal flavor well suited for lightly cooked preparations. The beans cook quickly due to their slender nature and can be sauteed, blanched, boiled, roasted, or stir-fried. French beans can be prepared whole, sliced, or chopped and are popularly tossed into stews, soups, and curries. The beans can also be mixed into casseroles, vegetable side dishes, fresh salads, or served as an accompaniment to roasted meats. In India, French beans are a staple ingredient in everyday cooking and are frequently utilized in vegetable makhanwala, a comforting curry dish made with cooked vegetables in a butter and cream-based sauce. The beans are also incorporated into French bean foogath, a dish comprised of lentils and beans, served with dal or rice, and French bean sabzi, finely chopped beans coated in spices or a rich gravy. Beyond cooked preparations, French beans can be pickled for extended use as a tangy, fermented condiment or snack. French beans pair well with herbs such as basil, thyme, parsley, and tarragon, aromatics including shallots, garlic, chives, and onions, carrots, bell peppers, mushrooms, tomatoes, potatoes, walnuts, almonds, cheeses such as feta and parmesan, and meats including lamb, pork, and poultry. Whole, unwashed French beans have a short shelf life and should be consumed immediately for the best quality and flavor. The beans can also be kept in a sealed container in the coldest part of the refrigerator for up to four days.

Ethnic/Cultural Info

French beans are known as Haricots Verts in France, simply translating to mean “green bean.” The slender beans have historically been utilized throughout French cooking as the beans are grown locally and harvested to add a fresh burst of green and veetal flavors to dishes. French chefs favor Haricots Verts as a savory side dish, but the beans have also gained a reputation for being one of the heavily disputed ingredients in the Niçoise Salad. The simple, fresh dish was first created in the coastal town of Nice in France in the 19th century and was often regarded as a food for poor people, comprised of tomatoes, anchovies, and olive oil. Over time, the salad became a favorite summer dish in Nice, and chefs began making variations, adding fresh or lihtly cooked vegetables for flavor and texture. Niçoise Salads gained international recognition in the early 20th century, spreading throughout Europe and to the United States, and with increasing fame came a broader debate among traditionalist chefs abot the ingredients that should be used in the salad. Potatoes and French beans are the two most heavily debated ingredients, and chefs like Julia Child supported the use of French beans. In the modern-day, Niçoise salads can also be comprised of hard-boiled eggs, tuna, lettuce, olives, and other fresh vegetables.

Geography/History

French beans are descendants of beans native to Central and South America, where they have been cultivated as a food source for thousands of years. The beans remained localized to indigenous American populations until the arrival of Spanish and Portuguese explorers in the 16th century. French beans were brought back to Europe and Africa through the conquistadors, and over time, the beans became a widely planted crop, especially in France. French beans were named Haricot Verts in the late 19th century, and the first string-less bean was developed in New York State by Calvin Keeney in 1894, also leading to stringless French bean varieties. Today French beans are cultivated worldwide and are a common vegetable found through local markets, distributors, grocers, and supermarkets.

Featured Restaurants

Restaurants currently purchasing this product as an ingredient for their menu.

Harvest Kitchen	Vista CA	619-709-0938
Le Papagayo (Carlsbad)	Carlsbad CA	949-235-5862
Hotel Del Coronado Serea Restaurant	Coronado CA	619-435-6611
The Guild Hotel	San Diego CA	858-373-3184
Qero	Encinitas CA	702-334-8845
Savor Catering	San Diego CA	619-254-3031
Cape Rey Carlsbad, a Hilton Resort	Carlsbad CA	760-602-0800
Manhattan of La Jolla	La Jolla CA	858-459-0700
Cloak and Petal	San Diego CA	619-634-3970
Madam Bonnies	San Diego CA	619-432-1383
Barleymash	San Diego CA	619-276-6700 x304
Little Lion	San Diego CA	619-519-4079
The Crossings	Carlsbad CA	760-444-1800
Ridgeview Health Center	San Diego CA	858-293-3950
Park Commons - ARE	San Diego CA	619-295-3172
Stone Brewing-Liberty Station	San Diego CA	619-269-2100
Chateau La Jolla	San Diego CA	858-459-4451
Sandpiper Wood Fired Grill & Oysters	La Jolla CA	858-228-5655
Pali Wine Company	San Diego CA	310-893-0038
Sheraton Carlsbad (20/20)	Carlsbad CA	760-827-2400

the other 56...

Civico 1845	San Diego CA	574-210-4025
US Grant Hotel Grill	San Diego CA	619-232-3121
Tom Hams Light House	San Diego CA	619-291-9110
Kitchens For Good	San Diego CA	619-450-4040
Stone Brewing World Bistro & Gardens	Escondido CA	760-294-7866
Pamplemousse Grill	Solana Beach CA	858-792-9090
Convention Center Shell	San Diego CA	619-954-3063
Carte Hotel	San Diego CA	619-365-1858
Jeune Et Jolie	Carlsbad CA	858-231-0862
Maple Blue	San Diego CA	860-733-5126
The Pearl Hotel	San Diego CA	877-732-7573
Crown Point Catering	San Diego CA	619-223-1211
Chefs SD	San Diego CA	619-709-6708
Miho	San Diego CA	619-365-5655
Sepulveda Meats & Provisions	San Diego CA	619-501-1878
Herb & Sea	Encinitas CA	858-587-6601
Boss Bird Kitchen	La Mesa CA	858-566-9191
Alila Marea Beach Resort (Banquets)	Encinitas CA	805-539-9719
Harley Gray Kitchen and Bar	San Diego CA	619-840-7000
Artifact at Mingei	San Diego CA	619-846-2164
Wolf In the Woods	San Diego CA	619-851-7275
Avant	San Diego CA	858-675-8505
Mille Fleurs	Rancho Santa Fe CA	858-756-3085
Del Mar Country Club	Rancho Santa Fe CA	858-759-5500 x207
Nolita Hall	San Diego CA	619-618-8820
Trattoria I Trulli	Encinitas CA	760-277-9826
La Jolla Beach & Tennis Club	San Diego CA	858-454-7126
InterContinental Vistal Kitchen	San Diego CA	619-501-9400
Sets Kitchen and Bar	San Marcos CA	970-390-2148
MCRD-Marine Corps Recruit Dept	San Diego CA	619-725-6478
Bahia Resort Hotel	San Diego CA	858-488-0551
Thai One On	Carlsbad CA	760-500-8674
Rancho Valencia	Del Mar CA	858-756-1123
Swagyu Chop Shop-PB	San Diego CA	858-758-0357
Brigantine Poway	Poway CA	858-486-3066
Hilton Mission Valley	San Diego CA	619-543-9000
Coast Catering	Escondido CA	619-295-3173
Humphery's	San Diego CA	619-224-3577
Seasalt	Del Mar CA	858-755-7100
Dolce Pane & Vino	Del Mar CA	858-832-1518
Urban Kitchen Catering	San Diego CA	619-276-8803
Jo's Mission Hills Diner	San Diego CA	619-417-3801
US Grant Hotel Main	San Diego CA	619-232-3121
Il Sogno Italiano	San Diego CA	619-380-2652
Food of Joy	San Diego CA	858-531-6616
Morgan Run Resort and Club	Rancho Sante Fe CA	858-759-5473
Half Door Brewing	San Diego CA	619-655-7459
Home Kitchen Culture	San Diego CA	619-302-7655
Bridges at Rancho Santa Fe	Rancho Santa Fe CA	858-759-6063
Lafayette Hotel	San Diego CA	619-296-2101
Catamaran	San Diego CA	858-488-1081
Mr A's	San Diego CA	619-239-1377
Reata Glen	Ladera Ranch CA	949-545-2250
Alila Marea Beach Resort	Encinitas CA	805-539-9719
Bread & Cie Café	San Diego CA	619-683-9322
C 2 C	San Diego CA	619-972-9345

Recipe Ideas

Recipes that include French Beans. One

is easiest, three is harder.

Southern Boy Dishes		Pesto Gnocchi with Haricots Verts and Grape Tomatoes
Jessica Gavin		Haricot Verts with Mushrooms and Caramelized Onions
Noob Cook		French Beans in Pine Nuts and Mangoes
Leite's Culinaria		Haricots Verts with Frisée and Bacon
Sailu's Kitchen		Beans Pakodi Kura ~ French Beans Fritters Stir Fry
Laughing Spatula		Bean Salad with Tomatoes and Feta
Cooking with Curls		French Green Beans
Ezra Pound Cake		French String Beans
Cherished Bliss		Sauteed French Green Beans with Toasted Almonds
Cookin' Canuck		Green Beans with Balsamic Roasted Shallots

the other 7...

Carrie's Experimental Kitchen		Sesame Ginger Sauteed Haricot Verts
Teczcape		French Bean Omelet
Well Plated		French Bean Salad
The Yellow Table		Haricots Verts with Dijon-Shallot Vinaigrette
Southern Boy Dishes		Haricots Verts Bundles with Garlic Butter
Williams Sonoma		Prosciutto-Wrapped Haricots Verts with Lemon Aioli
Boulder Locavore		Lobster Risotto with Saffron and Haricot Vert

Recently Shared

People have shared French Beans using the Specialty Produce app for iPhone and Android.

Produce Sharing allows you to share your produce discoveries with your neighbors and the world! Is your market carrying green dragon apples? Is a chef doing things with shaved fennel that are out of this world? Pinpoint your location annonymously through the Specialty Produce App and let others know about unique flavors that are around them.