There are many products in the world of food that are similar but different in different ways. This is especially true when it comes to vegetables. For example, there is white cabbage vs. red cabbage, broccoli vs. cauliflower, and every kind of lettuce you can think of. But there is also a difference because one vegetable is seen as a more refined version of another: green beans vs. French green beans, also known as haricot verts.
You may have seen haricot verts on the menus of fancy restaurants, but you may not have made them yourself. They sure sound like a fancy professional chefs-only ingredient. But the truth is that they’re a lot like the green beans you’re used to. There are only a few major differences. They aren’t quite picked at the same time, and even though they are used in the same way in cooking, you shouldn’t cook them the same way.
Green beans are a popular vegetable enjoyed around the world. But you may have noticed two distinct types at the grocery store the standard green beans and the slender, petite ones labeled “haricots verts” or “French” green beans.
So what exactly is the difference between regular green beans and French style green beans? While both share the same basic genetic makeup, several key differences in how they are grown and harvested account for their divergent appearance and taste.
How They Differ in Look and Texture
French green beans have a distinctly elegant, refined appearance compared to their regular counterparts. This comes down to two main variables: size and shape.
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Length: On average, haricots verts are 6-8 inches long compared to 3-4 inches for conventional green beans. Their pods grow up to triple the size.
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Width: French beans are slim, no wider than a pencil. Their sleek silhouette looks especially graceful next to the bulging sides of regular beans.
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Shape: With their smoother, straighter sides and pointed tips, haricots verts have a noticeably more sleek and uniform look.
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Seeds You’ll find smaller, less developed seeds and a thinner skin, creating a more delicate, tender texture and crunch.
So in essence, French green beans offer a longer slender profile and daintier composition. Their polished appearance makes them ideal for upscale presentations.
How Farming and Harvesting Varies
To achieve their signature petite shape, French green beans are simply picked at an earlier stage of growth compared to standard beans. Most varieties are harvested around 3-4 inches long. During their shorter growing time, the plant concentrates energy in developing the pods rather than the seeds and walls.
The beans are also bred to naturally have a leaner, tapered silhouette suited for close cultivation. Popular haricot vert cultivars like Nickel boast extra-long, slim pods perfect for dense planting.
And since they continue growing after the initial harvest, French beans require careful, frequent hand picking at their prime. This ensures every bean meets the standards of shape, length, and unblemished appearance.
Flavor and Texture Differences
The earlier harvest timing not only affects the look of French green beans but also their taste and texture:
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Flavor: Subtly sweeter and more vegetal or “grassy” without any starchy undertones
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Texture: Extra tender with a delicate crunch when raw; turns meltingly soft when cooked
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Color: Vibrant green with a fresh, lively appearance
Their slender shape also means quicker cooking. And with less developed seeds, haricots verts deliver a clean, concentrated bean flavor.
Overall, French green beans offer a more refined, elegant eating experience – from their visual appeal down to their dainty bite.
How To Cook and Serve French Beans
To highlight their delicate appeal, French green beans pair best with simple preparations:
- Steaming or blanching to preserve crunch
- Quick sautéing in butter or oil
- Roasting with olive oil and garlic
- Serving raw in salads and crudités
Their petite size makes them perfect as individual sides. They also complement lighter dishes like chicken, fish, and salads. Heartier meats and casseroles can overwhelm their subtler flavor.
So for green beans with added finesse, try the French style haricots verts. Their slender shape and milder taste makes them the choice for elegant presentations.
Key Differences at a Glance
| Regular Green Beans | French Green Beans |
|---|---|
| Shape | Bulbous, irregular |
| Length | 3-4 inches |
| Width | Wide, bulging sides |
| Seeds | Larger, more developed |
| Texture | Starchy, pulpy |
| Flavor | Grassy, vegetal with some starchiness |
| Best Cooking Methods | Braising, stewing |
| Best Pairings | Hearty meats, casseroles |
What are green beans?
Look, you probably know what green beans are; chances are youve eaten them before. There are a lot of different ways to cook green beans. For Thanksgiving, you can make green bean casserole with crispy onions on top. For appetizers, tempura-fried green beans or green beans cooked with rosemary and thyme are great. Whether fresh, frozen, or from a can, one way or another, youve had these before.
The fancy haricot verts and the green beans you’re used to are both technically green beans, so calling the type you’re used to “green beans” is a bit of a misnomer. Specifically, the kind youve probably had many times is a variety known as Blue Lake beans. Blue Lake beans are likely the most popular type in the United States. They were named for the area in California where they were first grown, the Blue Lake District. Sure, there are other types of standard green beans on the market, but thats the most common one.
What are haricot verts?
Simply put, whatever you call them, the vegetable in question is just a French type of green bean. You could say that green beans and French green beans are the same species. They are both cultivars of the common bean (phaseolus vulgaris), which is in the Fabaceae family. But their perception — at least in America — couldnt be more different.
French green beans are picked much earlier than other types of green beans, when the beans are still young. Their best season is in the summer, when you can find them most often at farmers markets. Because of this, they’re often thought to be more delicate and tender than other types. This is why you see them on the menus of more high-end restaurants. Green beans and French green beans may look the same, but diners and chefs have very different ideas about them.
How to Cut French Style Green Beans with a Bean Frencher
FAQ
Are French style green beans the same as green beans?
Can you substitute regular green beans for French green beans?
Why do French cut green beans taste different?
What’s the difference between French beans and regular beans?
What is the difference between regular green beans and French green beans?
Looks and appearance: Regular green beans, also known as string beans or snap beans, are your everyday green beans with a more common appearance. They’re a bit more robust and have that familiar, hearty green bean taste. French green beans, also called haricots verts, are long and slender green beans, with a more delicate texture.
What are French green beans?
“French green beans, or haricot verts, are a more slender variety of traditional green beans, which are also called string beans here in the U.S.,” Napolitano says. “Because they’re harvested earlier, haricot verts also tend to be more tender, earthier in flavor and more expensive than traditional green beans.”
What is the difference between regular green beans and fresh green beans?
Whether you see either name this means you are getting a thin fresh green bean. A lot thinner than “regular” green beans. This is really the only significant difference between the two, but not the only difference. The green beans on the left were grown in the USA and the French beans were grown in Mexico.
What are French beans?
French beans, also known as haricot verts, are a type of green bean that originated in France. They are slender, tender, and have a more delicate flavor than regular green beans. French beans were first cultivated in the 19th century and quickly became popular due to their unique taste and texture.