The green bean is one of the most popular vegetables worldwide. Its crisp bright green pods are a staple ingredient in many cuisines. But where did this nutritious legume originally come from?
Green beans go by many names, including string beans snap beans, and French beans. But they all belong to the same botanical species Phaseolus vulgaris.
This species encompasses over 130 varieties of edible pod beans. And there’s evidence that beans have been cultivated in Central and South America for thousands of years.
Native Roots in Ancient Peru
The earliest definitive proof of green bean cultivation comes from ancient Peru. Archeologists have uncovered beans preserved in tombs of the Moche civilization, dating back to around 1000 AD. The beans found look very similar to modern green bean varieties.
Additional archeological finds in Peru confirm that beans were a part of the local diet for thousands of years. Ancient ceramic bean pots and spoons have also been discovered in the region.
Early beans in Peru likely originated from wild vine species native to Central and South America. From their wild beginnings, indigenous people selectively bred beans over generations. This process led to larger pods with smaller seeds, tailored for eating whole.
Spreading Through the Americas
After emerging as a crop in ancient Peru, beans slowly spread through trade and cultivation to other regions of Central and South America.
Evidence suggests beans were cultivated in Mexico and the southwestern United States by 2000 BC. They became an integral part of the diet for many Native American groups across North and South America.
The Iroquois Confederacy in the northeastern U.S. was documented growing and eating beans when Europeans first encountered them. Beans were also an important crop for the Aztecs in Mexico when the Spanish arrived in the 1500s.
Beans remained an obscure New World crop until the late 15th century. Then Christopher Columbus brought them back to Europe after his voyages to the Americas.
Spanish and Portuguese traders soon spread beans throughout Western Europe. They quickly became popular for their meaty texture and flexibility in cooking.
By the 17th century, beans were being grown across southern Europe from Italy to Greece. European colonists also brought beans with them to new settlements in North America and beyond.
Emergence of Modern Varieties
Back in their native Americas, beans continued to evolve through breeding. Older “string” varieties had tough pods and strings needing removal before eating.
But new stringless varieties emerged, with tender pods and small seeds perfect for eating whole. These stringless beans became the ancestors of our familiar green and yellow snap bean varieties.
Breeders also selected for more cold tolerance, allowing beans to be grown in colder climates like the northeastern U.S. Bush-type plants were developed for mechanical harvesting and canning.
Green Bean Production Today
Today, China leads global production of green beans, providing about 44% of the total crop. India, Indonesia, Turkey, and Egypt are also top producers.
In the U.S., major commercial green bean production areas include Florida, New York, Wisconsin, Oregon, and California. Americans consume green beans fresh and frozen as well as canned. Popular green bean varieties include Blue Lake, Roma II, and Contender.
Worldwide, green beans are now one of the most widely grown and eaten vegetables. Their nourishing seeds that once sustained ancient indigenous Americans are now feeding millions globally.
Key Points:
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Green beans originated in ancient Peru, cultivated from wild vines over 7,000 years ago.
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Beans slowly spread through the Americas before being introduced to Europe by Columbus in the late 1400s.
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Old “string” varieties evolved into modern tender, stringless snap beans.
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Top green bean producers today include China, India, the U.S., Turkey, and Indonesia.
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From their Andean beginnings, beans now nourish millions worldwide as a beloved nutritional staple.
So the next time you snap into a crisp, juicy green bean, appreciate how far this tasty veggie has come through history! Its long journey reflects the very best of human agriculture, culture, and cuisine.
Life Cycle of a Green Bean
Green beans are planted in the spring, after winter’s last frosts have happened. They are planted as seeds, directly into the soil. Bush beans are planted in rows in open fields. Pole beans are also planted in rows, but have a trellis system to grow on.
The plants will produce blooms that will grow into bean pods. Green bean plants do not have to be pollinated. About three weeks after the beans flower, the pods are ready to be harvested. It takes about two months for a green bean plant to grow from seed to harvest. 8.
Most green beans are harvested with a machine. The harvester drives through the field, separating the beans from the plant. The beans will move along belts and leaves or other debris will be removed. Harvested beans are taken to a plant where they will be processed by cleaning, cutting, and more.
When beans are picked by hand, they can be picked more than once, and each pod can be picked when it’s ready. That isn’t possible with machine harvesters. They take all the pods at once. 9.
History of Green Beans
Green beans are sometimes called snap beans or string beans. They originally came from South and Central America. Indigenous tribes spread their seeds to other areas. Explorers also brought green beans to North America and other countries in the late 1400s. Native Americans grew green beans with corn. The beans would use the corn as a pole and grow up them. In the late 1800s farmers started to breed green beans. They wanted to grow better varieties with less strings. 3.
A Farmer’s Guide to Mastering Growing Green Beans
FAQ
Where did green beans first come from?
Are green beans native to the Americas?
Are green beans native to Europe?
What country is known for green beans?
Where did green beans originate?
Green beans originated in the Andes thousands of years ago. Their cultivation spread out into the New World, and Columbus came upon them during his second exploratory voyage in 1493. He brought them back to Europe. The first botanical drawing made of bush beans was done by a German doctor by the name of Leonhart Fuchs in 1542.
Are all green beans the same color?
Although green beans come in various colors such as purple, red, and striated, the beans inside are always green. Green beans originated in the Andes thousands of years ago and were later cultivated in the New World. Columbus discovered them during his second exploratory voyage in 1493 and brought them back to Europe.
Where do green beans grow?
Green beans tend to grow in almost any soil. Green bean botanical name is Phaseolus vulgaris and they are referred to by different names such as snap beans, string beans, snaps, French beans, and haricot vert. There are over 150 varieties of green beans that are widely grown throughout North America, South America, and Europe.
Which states produce green beans?
Some of the top states that produce green beans in the United States are Florida, New York, and Wisconsin. Green beans tend to grow in almost any soil. Green bean botanical name is Phaseolus vulgaris and they are referred to by different names such as snap beans, string beans, snaps, French beans, and haricot vert.