French Beans

Inventory, 10 lbs : 30.99
This item was last sold on : 03/31/23

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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 vegetal 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 lightly 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 about 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.

Bleu Boheme	San Diego CA	619-255-4167
The Santaluz Club Inc - Main Dining	San Diego CA	858-759-3150
One Door North	San Diego CA	858-232-4220
Wolf In the Woods	San Diego CA	619-851-7275
Little Lion	San Diego CA	619-519-4079
KI's	Encinitas CA	760-586-8289
Sandpiper Wood Fired Grill & Oysters	La Jolla CA	858-228-5655
Kingfisher	San Diego CA	619-861-8074
Fleming's Steakhouse La Jolla	San Diego CA	858-535-0078
PFC Fitness Camp	Carlsbad CA	888-488-8936
Firefly Beach	San Diego CA	619-222-6440
US Grant Hotel Main	San Diego CA	619-232-3121
Half Door Brewing	San Diego CA	619-655-7459
Crown Point Catering	San Diego CA	619-223-1211
Giaola	Carlsbad CA	858-266-9303
Carte Hotel	San Diego CA	619-365-1858
Tom Hams Light House	San Diego CA	619-291-9110
Barleymash	San Diego CA	619-276-6700 x304
The Prado at Balboa Park Kitchen	San Diego CA	619-744-3732
Orfila Vineyards & Winery	Oceanside CA	760-738-6500

the other 26...

Bahia Resort Hotel	San Diego CA	858-488-0551
Alila Marea Beach Resort	Encinitas CA	805-539-9719
Trattoria I Trulli	Encinitas CA	760-277-9826
Estancia Adobe	San Diego CA	858-550-1000
Il Sogno Italiano	San Diego CA	619-380-2652
Hilton Mission Valley	San Diego CA	619-543-9000
Spirit of Adventure Sportfishing	San Diego CA	619-454-9711
Park Commons - ARE	San Diego CA	619-295-3172
Born & Raised	San Diego CA	619-944-1631
Chateau La Jolla	San Diego CA	858-459-4451
Urban Kitchen Catering	San Diego CA	619-276-8803
Belmont Park Entertainment	San Diego CA	858-228-9283
Bridges at Rancho Santa Fe	Rancho Santa Fe CA	858-759-6063
Nick & G's Restaurant	Rancho Santa Fe CA	858-771-1871
Cal A Vie	Vista CA	760-945-2055
Secret Sister	San Diego CA	619-281-0718
The Corner Drafthouse	San Diego CA	619-255-2631
Pamplemousse Grill	Solana Beach CA	858-792-9090
Hotel La Jolla & CUSP -CLK	La Jolla CA	858-459-0261
Humphery's	San Diego CA	619-224-3577
AToN Center Inc.	Encinitas CA	858-759-5017
Coast Catering	Escondido CA	619-295-3173
Nolita Hall	San Diego CA	619-618-8820
The Bier Garden	Encinitas CA	760-632-2437
Ridgeview Health Center	San Diego CA	858-293-3950
Golden Door	San Marcos CA	760-761-4142

Recipe Ideas

Recipes that include French Beans. One

is easiest, three is harder.

Williams Sonoma		Prosciutto-Wrapped Haricots Verts with Lemon Aioli
Carrie's Experimental Kitchen		Sesame Ginger Sauteed Haricot Verts
Sailu's Kitchen		Beans Pakodi Kura ~ French Beans Fritters Stir Fry
Laughing Spatula		Bean Salad with Tomatoes and Feta
Noob Cook		French Beans in Pine Nuts and Mangoes
Jessica Gavin		Haricot Verts with Mushrooms and Caramelized Onions
Boulder Locavore		Lobster Risotto with Saffron and Haricot Vert
Ezra Pound Cake		French String Beans
Cookin' Canuck		Green Beans with Balsamic Roasted Shallots
Teczcape		French Bean Omelet

the other 7...

Well Plated		French Bean Salad
Cooking with Curls		French Green Beans
Cherished Bliss		Sauteed French Green Beans with Toasted Almonds
Southern Boy Dishes		Pesto Gnocchi with Haricots Verts and Grape Tomatoes
Leite's Culinaria		Haricots Verts with Frisée and Bacon
Southern Boy Dishes		Haricots Verts Bundles with Garlic Butter
The Yellow Table		Haricots Verts with Dijon-Shallot Vinaigrette

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