Are Chinese Long Beans the Same as Green Beans?

Chinese long beans and green beans are two very common types of beans. However, there are some key differences between them that you should know about. In this article, we’ll take a close look at these two beans to understand if they are really the same or not

Chinese long beans go by many names like yard long beans, snake beans, or asparagus beans As the names suggest, they are usually very long pods that can grow up to 1-3 feet in length! The pods are slightly thinner than green beans

These beans likely originated from Southern China and are very commonly used in Chinese and Asian cuisines. They have a crunchy texture and taste slightly sweet. When cooked, they become tender but still maintain a bite.

Some key features of Chinese long beans:

• Long, thin pods ranging from 1-3 feet
• Light green in color
• Crunchy raw, become tender when cooked
• Subtle sweet taste
• Used frequently in Chinese and Southeast Asian cooking

What are Green Beans?

Green beans, also known as string beans or snap beans, are one of the most popular beans worldwide. They are a staple in many cuisines and loved for their crisp, bright green pods.

Green beans are usually 6-9 inches long and more rounded compared to long beans. There are many cultivars of green beans with slight variations in size, color and taste. Some common ones are Blue Lake, Kentucky Wonder and Contender.

Here are some defining features of green beans:

• Pods are 6-9 inches long
• Round, plump shape
• Green, sometimes with purple hues
• Crisp raw, tender when cooked
• Neutral taste that pairs well with other flavors
• Widely used in salads, stir fries, casseroles and more

Both long beans and green beans belong to the same species – Phaseolus vulgaris. However, they are different cultivars.

Key Differences between the Two Beans

Though Chinese long beans and green beans belong to the same species, they have some distinct differences:

Appearance

The most visible difference is in the shape and size. Long beans are skinny, long pods while green beans are shorter and plumper. Long beans are 1-3 feet long compared to just 6-9 inches for green beans.

Texture

Raw long beans are super crunchy and snappy. Green beans are relatively tender and less crunchy raw. When cooked, long beans become tender but still have a bite. Green beans become soft and melt-in-your-mouth.

Taste

Long beans have a subtle sweetness and flavor. Green beans taste more neutral which allows them to pair well with different seasonings.

Uses in Cuisine

Chinese long beans are very commonly used in Chinese stir fries, curries and soups. Green beans appear in many Western dishes like casseroles, salads, pasta and more.

Growing Conditions

Long beans need warmer temperatures and cannot tolerate frost. Green beans are more cold hardy and can be grown in cooler climates.

As you can see, while these beans may seem interchangeable, they actually have distinct appearances, textures and uses. Substituting one for the other in recipes may give quite different results!

Can You Substitute Long Beans for Green Beans?

Since these beans have different characteristics, direct substitution in recipes may not work very well. Here are some tips on how to adapt recipes when substituting between long beans and green beans:

• For appearance, cut long beans into 2-3 inch pieces to match green beans.

• Account for the crunchier texture of raw long beans compared to tender green beans. Cook them a bit longer.

• To match the neutral taste of green beans, season long beans more assertively with spices, herbs and sauces.

• In stir fries, curries and soups, long beans can directly sub for green beans.

• For salads and sides, green beans work better than chewy long beans.

• Adjust cooking times as long beans take longer than green beans, especially in casseroles and oven dishes.

How to Cook with Chinese Long Beans

Here are some tips for cooking with long beans:

• Wash and trim the ends before cooking. Remove any strings along the edges.

• Cut into smaller 2-3 inch pieces so they cook faster and are easier to eat.

• Stir fry over high heat with oil and seasonings until tender crisp. Common seasonings are garlic, fermented black beans, soy sauce and oyster sauce.

• Add to soups and curries. They hold up well to braising and absorb the flavor of the broth.

• For a crispy snack, deep fry lightly battered long bean pieces. Toss in salt or chili powder.

• Grill lightly oiled long beans for a charred flavor.

• Roast in the oven after tossing with oil and herbs.

Simple Long Bean Recipes to Try

Here are two easy recipes highlighting Chinese long beans:

Szechuan Long Bean Stir Fry

Ingredients:

• 1 lb long beans, trimmed and cut into 3 inch pieces
• 2 Tbsp oil
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 inch ginger, finely chopped
• 2 dried red chilies, chopped (optional)
• 1 Tbsp soy sauce
• 1 tsp sugar
• Sesame seeds to garnish

Steps:

1. Heat oil in a wok over high heat. Add garlic, ginger and chilies. Cook for 30 seconds.
2. Add long beans. Stir fry for 2 minutes.
3. Add soy sauce and sugar. Continue stir frying for another 2-3 minutes until beans are tender crisp.
4. Remove from heat. Garnish with sesame seeds before serving.

Baked Long Beans

Ingredients:

• 1 lb long beans, trimmed and halved
• 2 Tbsp olive oil
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp pepper
• 2 Tbsp parmesan cheese

Steps:

1. Pre-heat oven to 400°F.
2. Toss long beans with oil, garlic powder, salt and pepper on a baking sheet.
3. Bake for 15-20 minutes, flipping halfway through. Beans should be tender with browned edges.
4. Remove from oven and top with parmesan cheese.

Chinese long beans and green beans are two very popular beans with some clear differences in appearance, texture and flavor. While they cannot be used interchangeably in recipes, you can substitute one for the other by making few adjustments. Both beans are delicious and nutritious, so try using both in your cooking repertoire!