Have you ever wondered about the different types of green beans that you will be able to find out there? Well, you do not have to wonder anymore because that is exactly what we are going to talk about in this article.
If you spend a lot of time in the kitchen, then you are probably familiar with green beans. These beans are also known as string beans or snap beans. They are a unique type of vegetable that you can use in a lot of dishes.
The Different Types of Green Beans
Green beans are divided into two main categories. You have pole green beans and bush green beans. Each green bean category has a lot of different cultivars that have their characteristics. Some varieties of green beans are even available in either pole and bush green bean types.
These different green beans also have different seed pod colors, such as purple, mottled, green, or yellow. If you are interested to know more, then here are the different types of green beans that you need to know about.
1. Pole Green Beans
The first green bean category that we are going to talk about is the pole green beans. This is the kind of green beans type that has a very unique characteristic. As the name suggests, this kind of green bean needs support from a pole or a trellis to be able to grow. The vines of this type of vegetable can grow up to 10 to 15 feet.
Other than that, pole green beans are also prolific, where they can produce eight to nine pounds of green beans every 10-foot row. All you need to do is to provide a little space for your pole green beans and you are all set.
How long does it take for pole green beans to grow?
What you need to know about pole beans is the fact that they will need a longer time to be able to grow. However, these beans will also produce for a longer time. Other than that, pole green beans also tend to be more flavorful than bush green beans. And because you are growing them on a pole, you will be able to easily harvest these beans without any problem at all.
Why? Well, simply because these beans are easily within reach. You will not need to stoop, bend, or squat to be able to harvest them. Here are some varieties of pole green beans that you need to know.
2. Kentucky Wonder Green Beans
The first variety of pole beans that you need to know is the Kentucky Wonder. This is a classic American pole bean that has been growing for generations. You probably know that this pole bean was grown for a good reason. That is exactly what we are going to tell you all about.
This kind of plant can grow up to 9 feet tall. The Kentucky Wonder beans also have curved pods that have several characteristics. These pods are stringless when they are young. They are also very thick and meaty, which makes them good for consumption. You will be able to enjoy these pods while they are fresh or frozen.
Related: Hydroponic Beans – 5 Thing about Growing, and Easy Caring Methods
3. Fortex
The Fortex beans is the kind of green beans that you are looking for if you want long and slender beans. Fortex beans are French beans that are about six to eleven inches long. However, that is not the unique characteristic that you can see from this type of green beans.
Fortex beans have quite a distinctive taste. These beans taste only mildly sweet. You will also be able to taste a little nutty flavor in these beans. Once you have planted Fortex beans, you will be able to harvest them after 75 days. Another great thing about these beans is the fact that they are stringless and quite tender.
4. Purple King
Another type of pole bean that you need to know about is the Purple King variety. Purple King beans are shiny beans that are, well, purple. They are usually five to six inches in length. The Purple King plant can grow up to 8 feet tall, which is pretty tall.
You will be able to harvest these beans after 75 days of planting them. Once you do, you can use them for cooking. Keep in mind that the beans will turn green once they are cooked. You will be able to taste the moderate sweet flavor as well as the tender texture of these beans.
5. Blue Lake
Next up, we have Blue Lake beans. This type of pole bean can be harvested after 60 days, which is relatively quick. One of the most unique things about Blue Lake beans is the fact that they have stringless and straight seed pods that are approximately six inches long.
Blue Lake beans are moderately sweet. These beans also have that crisp factor that a lot of people might like. They can be preserved pretty well by freezing them. What you need to know is that the Blue Lake plant can grow up to nine feet tall.
6. Scarlett Runner
Scarlett Runner beans are very unique pole beans. Why? Well, first of all, they have bright red or orange flowers that you will be able to find on the plant. This makes the Scarlett Runner plant look very attractive in your garden.
Scarlett Runner beans are quite slender. They are usually around eight inches long. You will be able to pick these beans while they are young. You also need to know that you need around 70 days before you can harvest these beans.
7. Kentucky Blue
The next type of pole bean on our list is the Kentucky Blue beans. This variety of pole beans can be harvested after 65 days of planting them. They are stringless and straight beans that have a length of around seven inches.
The plant of Kentucky Blue beans can grow up to nine feet tall. Another thing that you need to know about the Kentucky Blue beans is the fact that they are a crossing between two types of green beans. These beans are a combination of Blue Lake beans and Kentucky Wonder beans, hence the name Kentucky Blue.
8. Rattlesnake
The next type of pole bean that we have on our list is probably one of the most interesting bean varieties. Rattlesnake beans have a very unique name. And these beans were not named as such for anything.
Rattlesnake beans look like rattlesnakes. They have green pods that are streaked with several purple lines. These beans are very similar to Dragon Tongue beans.
These beans have mottled light brown seeds that you will be able to see. It will take you around 70 to even 80 days for you to be able to harvest these beans. The plant of Rattlesnake beans can grow up to 8 feet tall.
9. Spanish Musica Green Beans
Spanish Musica beans are also known as Spanish Miralda beans. They need to be planted for 75 days before you can harvest them. Spanish Musica beans are quite flat. They also have a very tender texture that you might love.
You will be able to harvest these beans once they have grown. These beans are approximately eight inches in length. However, you can also harvest them when they are ten inches in length. You will also be able to see that the seeds of these beans are white.
10. Asparagus Yardlong
Asparagus Yardlong beans are very unique because of several things. First of all, they have slender and long pods. But that is not the only thing that makes these beans very special.
Asparagus Yardlong beans have a nice nutty taste that you will be able to feel when you eat them. The plant of this kind of bean can reach nine feet tall. You need to wait around 80 days before you can harvest these bad boys. However, it is best if you cook these beans right after you harvest them. You can simply stir-fry these beans to make a delicious dish.
11. Trionfo Violetta
The last type of pole bean that we are going to talk about is the Trionfo Violetta beans. These beans are an Italian heirloom. What is unique about these beans is that they have purple pods. Other than that, the leaves of this bean plant also have purple veins.
Another wonderful thing about Trionfo Violetta beans is that the plants have violet flowers. They can easily become an additional decoration for your garden. Luckily for you, harvesting these beans is a piece of cake thanks to their large purple pods.
12. Bush Green Beans
Bush green beans are the second category of green beans that you will be able to find. The plants of these green beans can grow up to two feet tall. What differentiates Bush beans from Pole beans is that they can grow without any pole or trellis. This is because the plants can support each other and grow properly when they are properly spaced. Because of this, growing Bush beans are considered to be more convenient.
Bush green beans Days to Harvest
Bush green beans can be harvested a week earlier than pole beans. However, they are less productive than pole beans. This means that they produce fewer beans than the pole bean variety. But you need to keep in mind that this type of green bean plant has its advantage. You will not need a pole to be able to grow these beans. They will also grow faster than pole beans, which is kind of nice. Here are some types of Bush green beans that you can plant.
13. Contender
If you are looking for green beans that have good flavor and texture, then Contender beans are what you are looking for. The bean pods of this plant are usually six inches long. Other than that, the bean pods also have quite a tender texture.
The most popular types of green beans
Contender beans are probably one of the best Bush beans that you can plant. This is because they can tolerate cool or hot weather pretty well. Other green beans might not be able to thrive very well in certain conditions.
However, Contender beans can grow pretty well in certain weather conditions.
Another thing that you need to know about Contender beans is that they can easily be stored and preserved. You will be able to eat these beans fresh or preserve them. You can either freeze them, can them, or even make pickles out of them. They also stay flavorful even though they have been stored for a while.
14. Big Kahuna
Another type of Bush beans that you need to know about is the Big Kahuna beans. These beans are probably the biggest type of green bean that you will ever find. These beans are very long. They are usually around eleven inches in length.
Big Kahuna beans are very crisp. These green beans are also very nutty. So, if you love nutty-tasting beans, then you will love these beans. They also have a sweet flavor.
Big Kahuna beans will be ready to be harvested in 57 days. The plant of Big Kahuna beans can reach up to two feet tall. The plant is also pretty easy to grow so you do not have to worry about anything at all.
15. Purple Queen
The next type of Bush green bean that you need to know about is the Purple Queen beans. These beans have purple seed pods that can grow up to seven inches long. However, these beans will turn green in color after you cook them.
Once you have cooked them, you will be able to taste the nutty flavor of these beans. Other than that, these beans are also very tender. You will be able to harvest these beans after 52 days of planting them. The plants only grow up to eighteen inches tall.
16. Jade
Jade beans will be ready to be harvested after 60 days. These green beans are pretty unique because of their color. Yes, the pods of these beans are dark green, which is pretty unique and distinctive.
Jade beans taste very sweet. If you love sweet beans, then Jade beans are the thing for you. The pods of these beans are also stringless. You will be able to feel the tender texture of these beans when you are eating them.
Jade beans can grow up to twenty inches tall. They produce quite a lot of beans for a type of Bush green bean. They are also resistant to the mosaic virus that often hurts beans.
17. Dragon Tongue
The last type of Bush green bean that we are going to talk about is the Dragon Tongue beans. These beans are also very unique because of their color. These beans have pale yellow pods, which is interesting enough. They also have purple streaks on the pods.
The plant of Dragon Tongue beans can grow up to 24 to 30 inches long. These beans can be harvested while they are still young. They can also be harvested once they have matured if you want to get shelling beans. That is why these beans are one of the most versatile types of green beans that you will be able to find.
Green Bean Characteristics
Green beans have several characteristics that make them pretty unique. The most obvious characteristic that these beans have is that they have seed pods that you can eat. These pods usually have a green color. However, there are other varieties of green beans that have other-colored pods. One example is wax beans that have yellow seed pods. Some types of this vegetable also have purple seed pods that become green when you cook them.
Green Bean Growing Season
Another thing that you need to know about green beans is the fact that you will only be able to plant them annually. What does this mean? Well, it essentially means that these vegetables will die after one growing season.
If you ever plan to plant green beans, then you need to know that they cannot stand cold weather. That is why they are easily damaged by early spring frosts. You will be able to harvest your green beans after 45 to 60 days of planting them.
What is the Most Common Type of Green Bean?
French green beans are known for their exceptional flavor and texture. They are grown and harvested in the same way all over France.
But French green beans are not exactly the same thing as green beans from China or North America. To begin with, the French grow their beans in open fields rather than in greenhouses. They harvest them after only seven days of growth. They pick them by hand and carefully wash them off immediately.
Finally, they dry them in the field, in the sun, and then store them in cool places. These details are what give French green beans their special characteristics.
Which beans are good for weight loss?
Beans have long been a part of the human diet, whether eaten fresh, cooked into dishes, or ground up and used to add extra fiber to your diet. Beans are an excellent source of fiber, protein, iron, zinc, folate, and B vitamins. There is evidence that beans may help lower cholesterol levels.
They are a good source of phytochemicals, minerals, and antioxidants. Beans have also been linked to lowering the risk of cardiovascular disease. There is even some evidence that beans may improve insulin sensitivity and reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes. But the biggest selling point for beans is that they can help you lose weight.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Green beans are known to provide good nutrition and also, to be very tasty. There are two kinds of green beans, French beans and runner beans. Both kinds are very nutritious and delicious. Both are grown in the same season, which means that you can grow your own at home and eat all year round.