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Beans

Beans are the edible seeds or seed pods of plants in the legume family (Fabaceae), and the term also covers several related food crops.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 26, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Beans are the edible seeds or seed pods of plants in the legume family (Fabaceae), and the term also covers several related food crops. They are eaten fresh or dried, are rich in protein and other nutrients, and are important staple foods in many cuisines worldwide. In some contexts, the word also extends to seeds that only resemble true beans, such as coffee beans and cocoa beans.

Botanical definition

Beans are seeds or seed pods from plants in the legume family Fabaceae. Well-known examples include species in the genera Phaseolus and Vigna, though the term is used more broadly across the family.

Food and nutrition

Beans are eaten fresh or dried and are widely used in cooking around the world. They are valued for their protein content and for nutrients including iron, thiamin, and riboflavin.

Agriculture and cultivation

Bean crops have been cultivated since ancient times and are grown on a large scale in many countries. As legumes, they contribute to soil fertility by fixing nitrogen.

Terminology

In everyday language, 'bean' can refer to a range of related edible legumes, and sometimes to unrelated seeds that only resemble beans in shape or size. Some sources also note historical uses of the term for broad beans and related species.

Key facts

  • Beans are the edible seeds or seed pods of leguminous plants in the family Fabaceae.
  • They are commonly sold fresh or dried; dried beans are a type of pulse.
  • Beans are rich in protein and provide nutrients such as iron, thiamin, and riboflavin.
  • As legumes, bean plants fix nitrogen in the soil.
  • The term 'bean' is sometimes used more broadly for seeds that resemble true beans, including coffee beans and cocoa beans.
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Canadian context

Beans are a common food crop and staple ingredient in Canadian diets, especially in multicultural home cooking and pantry foods such as dried beans and legumes. They are also relevant to Canadian gardening and agriculture as nitrogen-fixing plants.

Frequently asked questions

What are beans?
Beans are the edible seeds or seed pods of plants in the legume family Fabaceae.
Are dried beans and pulses the same thing?
Dried beans are a type of pulse, which means dried edible seeds of legumes.
Why are beans considered nutritious?
They are high in protein and also provide nutrients such as iron, thiamin, and riboflavin.
Do beans help the soil?
Yes. Like other legumes, bean plants fix nitrogen, which can improve soil fertility.
Are coffee beans true beans?
No. The term 'bean' is also used for seeds that only resemble true beans, including coffee beans and cocoa beans.

References

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bean
    Supports: General definition; dried beans as pulses; cultivation history; nitrogen fixation; major producer note
  2. Encyclopaedia Britannica — https://www.britannica.com/plant/bean
    Supports: Definition; genera Phaseolus and Vigna; nutrition; global food importance
  3. New World Encyclopedia — https://www.newworldencyclopedia.org/entry/Bean
    Supports: Broad use of the term bean; historical expansion of meaning; related plants
  4. Encyclopaedia Britannica — https://www.britannica.com/plant/bean
    Supports: Beans as staple food crops and inexpensive protein sources
  5. Eden Brothers — https://grow.edenbrothers.com/basic-bean-guide/
    Supports: Long cultivation history; importance as protein source
  6. KidsGardening — https://kidsgardening.org/resources/growing-guide-beans/
    Supports: Latin American domestication; nitrogen fixation; culinary uses; three sisters context