Beans are legumes from various plants of the Fabaceae family, cultivated and consumed all over the world. They are an important source of protein, fibre, vitamins and minerals. 

Beans are one of the most popular Mexican ingredients, and are used in a wide variety of dishes, being an essential component of many traditional cuisines.

Nutritional Benefits

• Protein: Rich source of vegetable protein, essential for tissue repair and growth.
• Fibre: High in fibre, which aids digestion and helps maintain healthy cholesterol levels.
• Vitamins and Minerals: Contains iron, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, and B vitamins (such as folate and thiamine).
• Antioxidants: Contains anthocyanins, antioxidant compounds that contribute to overall health and may help reduce the risk of chronic diseases.

6 types of beans

Black Bean

The black bean is a variety of bean widely cultivated and consumed in various regions, especially in Latin America and the Caribbean. 

It is characterised by its shiny black colour, dense texture and earthy, slightly sweet taste. Its characteristics and culinary uses are: 

Characteristics of the Black Bean

• Colour: Shiny black.
• Size: Small, oval-shaped.
• Texture: Dense and creamy when cooked.
• Taste: Earthy, with a hint of sweetness.

Culinary Uses

The black bean is very versatile and is used in a wide variety of dishes:

• Traditional Dishes:
  • Refried Black Beans: A popular side dish in Mexican cuisine, served with rice or as a filling in tacos and burritos.
  • Black Bean Soup: A thick, rich soup, often seasoned with garlic, onion, cumin and coriander.
  • Feijoada: A traditional Brazilian stew that combines black beans with pork and other ingredients.
  • Gallo Pinto: A typical Costa Rican and Nicaraguan dish that mixes black beans with rice and seasonings.
• Salads:
  • Black Bean Salad: Black beans mixed with corn, peppers, onion, cilantro and dressed with lemon or vinaigrette.
• Other Uses:
  • Black Bean Dip: A puree of black beans, garlic, onion and spices, served with tortilla chips or vegetables.
  • Veggie burgers: Used as a base for veggie burgers, combined with rice, oatmeal or breadcrumbs and spices.

Pinto Beans 

The pinto bean is one of the most popular bean varieties, especially in North and Latin America. 

It is known for its characteristic mottled colour with brown and pinkish tones, which turn a uniform brown when cooked. 

Its characteristics and culinary uses are:

Characteristics of the Pinto bean

• Colour: Mottled in shades of brown and pink when raw; turns solid brown when cooked.
• Size: Medium-sized, oval-shaped.
• Texture: Creamy and tender when cooked.
• Flavour: Mild and earthy, with a hint of sweetness.

Culinary Uses

The pinto bean is very versatile and is used in a wide variety of dishes, especially in Southwestern and Mexican cuisine:

• Traditional Dishes:
  • Refried Beans: Cooked pinto beans are mashed and fried with onion, garlic and spices. They are a common accompaniment to many Mexican dishes.
  • Chili con Carne: A classic Southwestern dish, combining pinto beans with beef, tomatoes and spices.
  • Charro Beans: A Mexican stew that mixes pinto beans with chorizo, bacon, tomatoes, onions, garlic and cilantro.
  • Pinto Bean Soup: A thick, rich soup, often seasoned with garlic, onion, cumin and coriander.
• Salads:
  • Bean Salad: Pinto beans mixed with corn, peppers, onion, cilantro and dressed with lemon or vinaigrette.
• Other Uses:
  • Pinto Bean Dip: A puree of pinto beans, garlic, onion and spices, served with tortilla chips or vegetables.
  • Burritos and Tacos: Used as a filling in burritos, tacos and quesadillas.

White Beans (Alubias)

White beans, also known as kidney beans, are a popular variety of legumes used in various cuisines around the world. 

Their characteristics and culinary uses are:

Characteristics of the White Bean (Alubias)

• Colour: White or cream.
• Size: Varies from small to medium, depending on the specific variety.
• Texture: Creamy and smooth when cooked.
• Flavour: Mild and delicate, with a slight sweetness.

Culinary Uses

White beans are very versatile and are used in a wide variety of dishes in different cuisines around the world:

• Traditional Dishes:
  • Cassoulet: A traditional French stew that combines white beans with duck meat, sausages and other ingredients.
  • Fabada Asturiana: A traditional Spanish dish that mixes large white beans (called fabes) with chorizo, black pudding and bacon.
  • Bean Soup: A thick, rich soup, often seasoned with garlic, onion, celery and carrots.
• Salads:
  • Bean Salad: White beans mixed with tomatoes, cucumbers, red onion, and dressed with olive oil and vinegar.
• Other Uses:
  • Mashed Beans: Cooked and mashed white beans, often mixed with garlic, lemon and olive oil, used as a dip or side dish.
  • Stews and casseroles: Used in various stews and casseroles, providing a thick creamy texture.

Canary Bean (Peruvian)

The canary bean, also known as Peruvian bean or mayocoba, is a variety of bean widely appreciated in Latin America, especially in Peru and Mexico. It is characterised by its light yellow colour and creamy texture, and is used in a wide variety of traditional dishes. 

Its characteristics and culinary uses are:

Characteristics of the Canary Bean (Peruvian)

• Colour: Light yellow.
• Size: Medium-sized, oval-shaped.
• Texture: Creamy and smooth when cooked.
• Taste: Mild and slightly sweet.

Culinary Uses

The canary bean is very versatile and is used in a wide variety of dishes in different Latin American cuisines:

• Traditional Dishes:
  • Frijoles de la Olla: A simple and popular dish in Mexico, where beans are simmered with onion, garlic and herbs.
  • Tacu Tacu: A Peruvian dish that mixes canary beans with rice and is fried to form a kind of tortilla.
  • Beans in stew: Beans simmered with tomatoes, onion, garlic and spices.
  • Frijoles Refritos: Cooked canary beans are mashed and fried with onion, garlic and spices, served as a side dish or filling in various dishes.
• Salads:
  • Bean Salad: Canary beans mixed with tomatoes, cucumbers, red onion, and dressed with olive oil and vinegar.
• Other Uses:
  • Canary Bean Soup: A thick, rich soup, often seasoned with garlic, onion, cumin and coriander.
  • Canary Bean Dip: A puree of canary beans, garlic, onion and spices, served with tortilla chips or vegetables.

Kidney Bean

Kidney bean, also known as kidney bean, is a popular variety of legume distinguished by its kidney shape and dark red colour. 

This type of bean is widely used in various cuisines around the world, especially in Caribbean, Indian and American dishes. 

Its characteristics and culinary uses are:

Characteristics of the Kidney Bean

• Colour: Dark red.
• Size: Medium to large, kidney-shaped.
• Texture: Firm and fleshy when cooked.
• Flavour: Mild, slightly sweet and earthy.

Culinary Uses

Kidney beans are very versatile and are used in a wide variety of dishes in different cuisines around the world:

• Traditional Dishes:
  • Chili con Carne: A classic dish from the southwestern United States, combining red beans with beef, tomatoes and spices.
  • Rajma: An Indian curry that blends red beans with spices, tomatoes and onions, served with rice.
  • Rice and Beans: A Caribbean dish that mixes red beans with rice, coconut and spices.
  • Gumbo: A southern US stew that combines red beans with seafood, chicken and okra.
• Salads:
  • Red Bean Salad: Red beans mixed with corn, peppers, onions, cilantro and dressed with lemon or vinaigrette.
• Other Uses:
  • Red Bean Soup: A thick, rich soup, often seasoned with garlic, onion, cumin and cilantro.
  • Red Bean Dip: A puree of red beans, garlic, onion and spices, served with tortilla chips or vegetables.

Lima Bean (Butter Bean)

The lima bean, also known as butter bean, is a variety of bean prized for its large size, buttery texture and mild flavour. 

It is a staple food in many cultures, especially in South America and the United States. 

Here are its characteristics and culinary uses.

Butter Bean Characteristics

• Colour: Varies from creamy white to shades of green.
• Size: Large and flat, kidney-shaped.
• Texture: Buttery and smooth when cooked.
• Flavour: Mild and delicate, with a slight hint of sweetness.

Culinary Uses

The lima bean is very versatile and is used in a wide variety of dishes in different cuisines around the world:

• Traditional Dishes:
  • Succotash: A traditional US dish that mixes lima beans with corn, peppers and other vegetables.
  • Stews and Casseroles: Lima beans are used in a variety of stews and casseroles, providing a creamy texture and mild flavour.
  • Lima Bean Soup: A thick, rich soup, often seasoned with garlic, onion, celery and carrots.
• Salads:
  • Lima Bean Salad: Lima beans mixed with tomatoes, cucumbers, red onion, and dressed with olive oil and vinegar.
• Other Uses:
  • Lima Bean Puree: Cooked and mashed beans, often mixed with garlic, lemon and olive oil, used as a dip or side dish.
  • Vegetarian dishes: Used as a base for vegetarian burgers and croquettes, combined with other vegetables and spices.

And for you, what is your favourite bean variety? Have we forgotten any of them? 

Comment and leave us any opinions about the different types of beans or others that we haven’t mentioned or that you would like us to include in our dishes.

Remember! At Taqueria de Birra we are experts in tacos and Mexican food since 1989, so if you want to try some tacos in the purest Mexican style, we invite you to order to take away or come and try them in our establishments in C/ Don Pedro, 11 and Plaza de las Comendadoras, 2.