December 2012
One of the Three Sisters, a Native American designation for corn, beans, and squash. Beans are some of the oldest cultivated foods and are an essential part of a well balanced, intelligently principled diet. The various regions in this country commonly have a most popular bean, like navy beans in New England, black–eyed peas in the South, and pinto beans in the Southwest.
The unique combination of low fat, high protein and high fiber, excellent carbohydrates, antioxidants, and a host of vital nutrients, including potassium, magnesium, and B vitamins makes beans the perfect ‘heart healthy’ food. Soluble fiber in beans slows the movement of insoluble fiber through the digestive tract resulting in a fuller, satiated feeling, helping to control appetite and reduce weight gain, while their complex carbohydrates provide a constant, steady source of energy. Beans are one of the richest sources of fiber, which studies have shown to reduce cholesterol levels and scavenge for damaging free radicals. Clifford Beninger, a former researcher for the USDA's Bean and Beet Research Unit says, “Beans are really loaded with antioxidant compounds. We didn't know they were that potent until now. In general dark seed coats were associated with higher levels of flavonoids, and therefore higher antioxidant activity.” Our ancestors mainly enjoyed beans because they were so delicious, versatile, satisfying, and an economical food.
U.S.A. Organic EDEN Grade
Most commercial organic beans are sourced from China and Brazil, and do not make the grade at Eden. Since the 1960s Eden has purchased Grade A organic beans exclusively from local U.S.A. family farms. These salt–of–the–earth growers have used organic methods now for decades. Their rich vital soil teems with life and their practiced tending produces the finest beans on earth. Most EDEN beans are grown in the Midwest within a few, to a few hundred miles of our headquarters. Garbanzo and lentils require the more arid climate of California, Arizona, Colorado, and North Dakota. Organic EDEN Dry Beans are slowly field dried, cleaned, and packaged in reclosable boxes made of recycled and recyclable paperboard. Each box includes complete cooking instructions and an Easy Eden kitchen tested, wholesome recipe. There's nothing more comforting than a pot of fresh cooked dry beans, they simply require soaking and slow simmering.
Properly Prepared
EDEN dry beans are the heart of award winning organic canned EDEN beans. Taking modern lifestyles into consideration, we were certain that the convenience of precooked organic beans would be appreciated, so we began canning EDEN beans in 1991 at our certified organic 
cannery in east central Indiana. We prepare them in ways that were perfected in our homes. All water used in washing, soaking, and cooking is purified water. The beans are soaked overnight, an important but rare step, making them easier to digest. Most are cooked with a bit of kombu sea vegetable. The kombu is tasteless, but its rich amino acid and trace mineral profiles enhance flavor without the need for sodium.
What's Not Included
Since April 1999 canned EDEN beans feature custom cans lined with an oleo–resinous c–enamel that does not contain the endocrine disrupter bisphenol–A (BPA). In preparing to make canned beans, we were told it was necessary to add at least two chemicals; calcium chloride to harden the skins so they wouldn't fall apart in cooking, and calcium disodium EDTA to hold the color. These chemicals are in virtually all canned beans. We tried EDEN beans without the chemicals, just pure water, and they came out perfectly. Due to the vital soil producing EDEN beans, their much higher mineral content allows them to be cooked without the need of these extremely undesirable processing chemicals.
Delicious and Versatile
Whether soaked and prepared at home or simply opening a can for quick meals, organic EDEN beans are a delicious and versatile food. Use EDEN beans in soups, stews, casseroles, salads, dips, sandwich spreads, and Mexican classics such as tacos, enchiladas, tamale pie, burritos, chalupas, salsa, and botana. pareve.
