๐ซ Bean Vocab
Bean vocabulary can be confusing because similar-looking beans often have different names, and the same bean may have more than one name depending on the country or cuisine. Chickpeas are also called garbanzo beans, cranberry beans are closely associated with the Italian name borlotti, and black-eyed peas are actually a type of cowpea rather than black beans. Learning these distinctions will help you understand recipes, grocery labels, restaurant menus, soups, chili, dal, and other everyday food English.
๐ฒ Everyday American & Chili Beans
โซ Black Beans
small shiny black beans commonly used in Latin American and Southwestern cooking
Example: We served black beans with rice, avocado, and salsa.
๐ซ๐ท French: Haricots noirs
๐ฉ๐ช German: Schwarze Bohnen
๐ฎ๐น Italian: Fagioli neri
๐ต๐น Portuguese: Feijรฃo preto
๐ก Nuance: Black beans are sometimes called black turtle beans. Do not confuse them with black-eyed peas, which are pale beans with a dark spot.
small shiny black beans commonly used in Latin American and Southwestern cooking
Example: We served black beans with rice, avocado, and salsa.
Show translations
๐ช๐ธ Spanish: Frijoles negros๐ซ๐ท French: Haricots noirs
๐ฉ๐ช German: Schwarze Bohnen
๐ฎ๐น Italian: Fagioli neri
๐ต๐น Portuguese: Feijรฃo preto
๐ก Nuance: Black beans are sometimes called black turtle beans. Do not confuse them with black-eyed peas, which are pale beans with a dark spot.
๐ด Kidney Beans
large curved beans named for their kidney-like shape
Example: The chili contained tomatoes, beef, and dark red kidney beans.
๐ซ๐ท French: Haricots rouges
๐ฉ๐ช German: Kidneybohnen
๐ฎ๐น Italian: Fagioli rossi
๐ต๐น Portuguese: Feijรฃo vermelho
๐ก Nuance: The name describes the beanโs shape. Kidney beans are generally larger than the small red beans used in dishes such as Louisiana red beans and rice.
large curved beans named for their kidney-like shape
Example: The chili contained tomatoes, beef, and dark red kidney beans.
Show translations
๐ช๐ธ Spanish: Judรญas rojas / frijoles rojos๐ซ๐ท French: Haricots rouges
๐ฉ๐ช German: Kidneybohnen
๐ฎ๐น Italian: Fagioli rossi
๐ต๐น Portuguese: Feijรฃo vermelho
๐ก Nuance: The name describes the beanโs shape. Kidney beans are generally larger than the small red beans used in dishes such as Louisiana red beans and rice.
๐ค Pinto Beans
beige beans with brown speckles, widely used in Mexican and Southwestern cooking
Example: The burrito was filled with rice and refried pinto beans.
๐ซ๐ท French: Haricots pinto
๐ฉ๐ช German: Pinto-Bohnen
๐ฎ๐น Italian: Fagioli pinto
๐ต๐น Portuguese: Feijรฃo carioca / pinto
๐ก Nuance: Speckled means covered with small spots. Pinto beans are speckled, while pink beans are more evenly colored.
beige beans with brown speckles, widely used in Mexican and Southwestern cooking
Example: The burrito was filled with rice and refried pinto beans.
Show translations
๐ช๐ธ Spanish: Frijoles pintos๐ซ๐ท French: Haricots pinto
๐ฉ๐ช German: Pinto-Bohnen
๐ฎ๐น Italian: Fagioli pinto
๐ต๐น Portuguese: Feijรฃo carioca / pinto
๐ก Nuance: Speckled means covered with small spots. Pinto beans are speckled, while pink beans are more evenly colored.
โช Navy Beans
small white beans commonly used in baked beans, soups, and stews
Example: The baked beans were made with small, tender navy beans.
๐ซ๐ท French: Haricots navy
๐ฉ๐ช German: Navy-Bohnen
๐ฎ๐น Italian: Fagioli navy
๐ต๐น Portuguese: Feijรฃo navy
๐ก Nuance: Navy beans are one of several common white beans. They are smaller than Great Northern beans and cannellini beans.
small white beans commonly used in baked beans, soups, and stews
Example: The baked beans were made with small, tender navy beans.
Show translations
๐ช๐ธ Spanish: Alubias blancas pequeรฑas๐ซ๐ท French: Haricots navy
๐ฉ๐ช German: Navy-Bohnen
๐ฎ๐น Italian: Fagioli navy
๐ต๐น Portuguese: Feijรฃo navy
๐ก Nuance: Navy beans are one of several common white beans. They are smaller than Great Northern beans and cannellini beans.
๐ค Great Northern Beans
medium-sized white beans with a mild flavor
Example: Great Northern beans held their shape well in the soup.
๐ซ๐ท French: Haricots Great Northern
๐ฉ๐ช German: Great-Northern-Bohnen
๐ฎ๐น Italian: Fagioli Great Northern
๐ต๐น Portuguese: Feijรฃo Great Northern
๐ก Nuance: To hold its shape means a food stays intact during cooking instead of breaking apart or becoming mushy.
medium-sized white beans with a mild flavor
Example: Great Northern beans held their shape well in the soup.
Show translations
๐ช๐ธ Spanish: Judรญas Great Northern๐ซ๐ท French: Haricots Great Northern
๐ฉ๐ช German: Great-Northern-Bohnen
๐ฎ๐น Italian: Fagioli Great Northern
๐ต๐น Portuguese: Feijรฃo Great Northern
๐ก Nuance: To hold its shape means a food stays intact during cooking instead of breaking apart or becoming mushy.
๐ฎ๐น Cannellini Beans
large, creamy white beans commonly associated with Italian cooking
Example: The minestrone contained cannellini beans, tomatoes, and vegetables.
๐ซ๐ท French: Haricots cannellini
๐ฉ๐ช German: Cannellini-Bohnen
๐ฎ๐น Italian: Cannellini
๐ต๐น Portuguese: Feijรฃo cannellini
๐ก Nuance: Cannellini are often called white kidney beans. They are larger and creamier than navy beans and generally larger than Great Northern beans.
large, creamy white beans commonly associated with Italian cooking
Example: The minestrone contained cannellini beans, tomatoes, and vegetables.
Show translations
๐ช๐ธ Spanish: Alubias cannellini๐ซ๐ท French: Haricots cannellini
๐ฉ๐ช German: Cannellini-Bohnen
๐ฎ๐น Italian: Cannellini
๐ต๐น Portuguese: Feijรฃo cannellini
๐ก Nuance: Cannellini are often called white kidney beans. They are larger and creamier than navy beans and generally larger than Great Northern beans.
๐ข Lima Beans
flat pale-green or white beans with a soft, creamy texture when cooked
Example: The succotash was made with corn and lima beans.
๐ซ๐ท French: Haricots de Lima
๐ฉ๐ช German: Limabohnen
๐ฎ๐น Italian: Fagioli di Lima
๐ต๐น Portuguese: Feijรฃo-lima
๐ก Nuance: Large lima beans are often sold as butter beans. Do not confuse lima beans with fava beans, which are a different plant.
flat pale-green or white beans with a soft, creamy texture when cooked
Example: The succotash was made with corn and lima beans.
Show translations
๐ช๐ธ Spanish: Habas lima๐ซ๐ท French: Haricots de Lima
๐ฉ๐ช German: Limabohnen
๐ฎ๐น Italian: Fagioli di Lima
๐ต๐น Portuguese: Feijรฃo-lima
๐ก Nuance: Large lima beans are often sold as butter beans. Do not confuse lima beans with fava beans, which are a different plant.
โค๏ธ Red Beans
a general food name for red-colored beans, especially small red beans in Louisiana cooking
Example: We had red beans and rice for dinner.
๐ซ๐ท French: Haricots rouges
๐ฉ๐ช German: Rote Bohnen
๐ฎ๐น Italian: Fagioli rossi
๐ต๐น Portuguese: Feijรฃo vermelho
๐ก Nuance: Red beans can be a broad label, while small red beans is a more precise grocery name. Kidney beans are another red bean but are noticeably larger.
a general food name for red-colored beans, especially small red beans in Louisiana cooking
Example: We had red beans and rice for dinner.
Show translations
๐ช๐ธ Spanish: Frijoles rojos๐ซ๐ท French: Haricots rouges
๐ฉ๐ช German: Rote Bohnen
๐ฎ๐น Italian: Fagioli rossi
๐ต๐น Portuguese: Feijรฃo vermelho
๐ก Nuance: Red beans can be a broad label, while small red beans is a more precise grocery name. Kidney beans are another red bean but are noticeably larger.
๐ป Small Red Beans
compact red beans commonly used in soups, stews, and Creole cooking
Example: The recipe specifically called for small red beans rather than kidney beans.
๐ซ๐ท French: Petits haricots rouges
๐ฉ๐ช German: Kleine rote Bohnen
๐ฎ๐น Italian: Fagioli rossi piccoli
๐ต๐น Portuguese: Feijรฃo vermelho pequeno
๐ก Nuance: Here, small is an important part of the food name. Small red beans and kidney beans may share a color, but they differ in size and texture.
compact red beans commonly used in soups, stews, and Creole cooking
Example: The recipe specifically called for small red beans rather than kidney beans.
Show translations
๐ช๐ธ Spanish: Frijoles rojos pequeรฑos๐ซ๐ท French: Petits haricots rouges
๐ฉ๐ช German: Kleine rote Bohnen
๐ฎ๐น Italian: Fagioli rossi piccoli
๐ต๐น Portuguese: Feijรฃo vermelho pequeno
๐ก Nuance: Here, small is an important part of the food name. Small red beans and kidney beans may share a color, but they differ in size and texture.
๐ธ Pink Beans
small smooth beans with an even pink color
Example: Pink beans became soft and creamy in the stew.
๐ซ๐ท French: Haricots roses
๐ฉ๐ช German: Rosa Bohnen
๐ฎ๐น Italian: Fagioli rosa
๐ต๐น Portuguese: Feijรฃo-rosa
๐ก Nuance: Pink beans and pinto beans can be used in similar dishes, but pink beans have a more even color instead of the pinto beanโs speckled pattern.
small smooth beans with an even pink color
Example: Pink beans became soft and creamy in the stew.
Show translations
๐ช๐ธ Spanish: Frijoles rosados๐ซ๐ท French: Haricots roses
๐ฉ๐ช German: Rosa Bohnen
๐ฎ๐น Italian: Fagioli rosa
๐ต๐น Portuguese: Feijรฃo-rosa
๐ก Nuance: Pink beans and pinto beans can be used in similar dishes, but pink beans have a more even color instead of the pinto beanโs speckled pattern.
๐ฎ๐น European Whites & Streaked Beans
๐ฟ Fava Beans
large broad beans with a thick outer skin
Example: We removed the fava beans from their pods and peeled them before cooking.
๐ซ๐ท French: Fรจves
๐ฉ๐ช German: Dicke Bohnen / Favabohnen
๐ฎ๐น Italian: Fave
๐ต๐น Portuguese: Favas
๐ก Nuance: Fava beans are also known as broad beans. To shell means to remove beans or peas from their pod; to peel means to remove an outer skin.
large broad beans with a thick outer skin
Example: We removed the fava beans from their pods and peeled them before cooking.
Show translations
๐ช๐ธ Spanish: Habas๐ซ๐ท French: Fรจves
๐ฉ๐ช German: Dicke Bohnen / Favabohnen
๐ฎ๐น Italian: Fave
๐ต๐น Portuguese: Favas
๐ก Nuance: Fava beans are also known as broad beans. To shell means to remove beans or peas from their pod; to peel means to remove an outer skin.
๐ท Cranberry Beans
cream-colored beans marked with red or pink streaks
Example: The fresh cranberry beans had beautiful red streaks before they were cooked.
๐ซ๐ท French: Haricots cranberry
๐ฉ๐ช German: Cranberry-Bohnen
๐ฎ๐น Italian: Borlotti
๐ต๐น Portuguese: Feijรฃo cranberry
๐ก Nuance: Streaked means marked with irregular lines of color. Cranberry beans are closely associated with the Italian name borlotti.
cream-colored beans marked with red or pink streaks
Example: The fresh cranberry beans had beautiful red streaks before they were cooked.
Show translations
๐ช๐ธ Spanish: Judรญas cranberry๐ซ๐ท French: Haricots cranberry
๐ฉ๐ช German: Cranberry-Bohnen
๐ฎ๐น Italian: Borlotti
๐ต๐น Portuguese: Feijรฃo cranberry
๐ก Nuance: Streaked means marked with irregular lines of color. Cranberry beans are closely associated with the Italian name borlotti.
๐ฎ๐น Borlotti Beans
Italian streaked beans closely associated with cranberry beans
Example: The pasta e fagioli was made with borlotti beans.
๐ซ๐ท French: Haricots borlotti
๐ฉ๐ช German: Borlotti-Bohnen
๐ฎ๐น Italian: Fagioli borlotti
๐ต๐น Portuguese: Feijรฃo borlotti
๐ก Nuance: A package may use borlotti or cranberry beans for closely related streaked beans. Pinto beans are also patterned, but their markings look different.
Italian streaked beans closely associated with cranberry beans
Example: The pasta e fagioli was made with borlotti beans.
Show translations
๐ช๐ธ Spanish: Judรญas borlotti๐ซ๐ท French: Haricots borlotti
๐ฉ๐ช German: Borlotti-Bohnen
๐ฎ๐น Italian: Fagioli borlotti
๐ต๐น Portuguese: Feijรฃo borlotti
๐ก Nuance: A package may use borlotti or cranberry beans for closely related streaked beans. Pinto beans are also patterned, but their markings look different.
๐ Flageolet Beans
small pale-green or white beans associated with French cooking
Example: The roast lamb was served with tender flageolet beans.
๐ซ๐ท French: Flageolets
๐ฉ๐ช German: Flageolet-Bohnen
๐ฎ๐น Italian: Flageolet
๐ต๐น Portuguese: Flageolet
๐ก Nuance: Tender means soft enough to eat easily but not necessarily mushy. Flageolets are valued for a delicate texture.
small pale-green or white beans associated with French cooking
Example: The roast lamb was served with tender flageolet beans.
Show translations
๐ช๐ธ Spanish: Flageolets๐ซ๐ท French: Flageolets
๐ฉ๐ช German: Flageolet-Bohnen
๐ฎ๐น Italian: Flageolet
๐ต๐น Portuguese: Flageolet
๐ก Nuance: Tender means soft enough to eat easily but not necessarily mushy. Flageolets are valued for a delicate texture.
๐ฆด Marrow Beans
plump white beans known for a smooth, creamy interior
Example: The marrow beans became especially creamy after slow cooking.
๐ซ๐ท French: Haricots marrow
๐ฉ๐ช German: Marrow-Bohnen
๐ฎ๐น Italian: Fagioli marrow
๐ต๐น Portuguese: Feijรฃo marrow
๐ก Nuance: The word marrow describes the beanโs rich, soft texture; it does not mean that bone marrow is an ingredient.
plump white beans known for a smooth, creamy interior
Example: The marrow beans became especially creamy after slow cooking.
Show translations
๐ช๐ธ Spanish: Judรญas marrow๐ซ๐ท French: Haricots marrow
๐ฉ๐ช German: Marrow-Bohnen
๐ฎ๐น Italian: Fagioli marrow
๐ต๐น Portuguese: Feijรฃo marrow
๐ก Nuance: The word marrow describes the beanโs rich, soft texture; it does not mean that bone marrow is an ingredient.
๐จ Heritage & Garden Beans
๐๏ธ Anasazi Beans
red-and-white patterned beans associated with the American Southwest
Example: The dried Anasazi beans lost some of their pattern as they cooked.
๐ซ๐ท French: Haricots anasazi
๐ฉ๐ช German: Anasazi-Bohnen
๐ฎ๐น Italian: Fagioli anasazi
๐ต๐น Portuguese: Feijรฃo anasazi
๐ก Nuance: Heritage bean or heirloom bean describes an older or distinctive variety valued for its history, appearance, or flavor.
red-and-white patterned beans associated with the American Southwest
Example: The dried Anasazi beans lost some of their pattern as they cooked.
Show translations
๐ช๐ธ Spanish: Frijoles anasazi๐ซ๐ท French: Haricots anasazi
๐ฉ๐ช German: Anasazi-Bohnen
๐ฎ๐น Italian: Fagioli anasazi
๐ต๐น Portuguese: Feijรฃo anasazi
๐ก Nuance: Heritage bean or heirloom bean describes an older or distinctive variety valued for its history, appearance, or flavor.
๐๏ธ Yellow-Eyed Beans
white beans marked with a yellow patch around the seed scar
Example: Yellow-eyed beans are traditional in some New England dishes.
๐ซ๐ท French: Haricots ร ลil jaune
๐ฉ๐ช German: Gelbaugenbohnen
๐ฎ๐น Italian: Fagioli occhio giallo
๐ต๐น Portuguese: Feijรฃo de olho amarelo
๐ก Nuance: The word eye refers to the colored marking on the bean. Yellow-eyed beans are not the same as black-eyed peas.
white beans marked with a yellow patch around the seed scar
Example: Yellow-eyed beans are traditional in some New England dishes.
Show translations
๐ช๐ธ Spanish: Judรญas de ojo amarillo๐ซ๐ท French: Haricots ร ลil jaune
๐ฉ๐ช German: Gelbaugenbohnen
๐ฎ๐น Italian: Fagioli occhio giallo
๐ต๐น Portuguese: Feijรฃo de olho amarelo
๐ก Nuance: The word eye refers to the colored marking on the bean. Yellow-eyed beans are not the same as black-eyed peas.
๐ Jacob's Cattle Beans
red-and-white spotted heirloom beans associated with New England
Example: Jacob's cattle beans kept some of their distinctive markings after cooking.
๐ซ๐ท French: Haricots Jacobโs cattle
๐ฉ๐ช German: Jacobโs-Cattle-Bohnen
๐ฎ๐น Italian: Fagioli Jacobโs cattle
๐ต๐น Portuguese: Feijรฃo Jacobโs cattle
๐ก Nuance: The unusual name refers to the spotted appearance. You may also encounter the alternative name trout bean.
red-and-white spotted heirloom beans associated with New England
Example: Jacob's cattle beans kept some of their distinctive markings after cooking.
Show translations
๐ช๐ธ Spanish: Judรญas Jacobโs cattle๐ซ๐ท French: Haricots Jacobโs cattle
๐ฉ๐ช German: Jacobโs-Cattle-Bohnen
๐ฎ๐น Italian: Fagioli Jacobโs cattle
๐ต๐น Portuguese: Feijรฃo Jacobโs cattle
๐ก Nuance: The unusual name refers to the spotted appearance. You may also encounter the alternative name trout bean.
๐ฑ Runner Beans
climbing bean plants whose young pods and mature seeds can both be eaten
Example: We picked young runner beans from the garden and sliced the pods for dinner.
๐ซ๐ท French: Haricots dโEspagne
๐ฉ๐ช German: Feuerbohnen
๐ฎ๐น Italian: Fagioli di Spagna
๐ต๐น Portuguese: Feijรฃo-de-correr
๐ก Nuance: Pod is the outer case that contains the beans. With runner beans, the young pod itself can be eaten, while mature dry beans are used differently.
climbing bean plants whose young pods and mature seeds can both be eaten
Example: We picked young runner beans from the garden and sliced the pods for dinner.
Show translations
๐ช๐ธ Spanish: Judรญas de enrame / runner๐ซ๐ท French: Haricots dโEspagne
๐ฉ๐ช German: Feuerbohnen
๐ฎ๐น Italian: Fagioli di Spagna
๐ต๐น Portuguese: Feijรฃo-de-correr
๐ก Nuance: Pod is the outer case that contains the beans. With runner beans, the young pod itself can be eaten, while mature dry beans are used differently.
๐ Asian Beans
๐ด Adzuki Beans
small red beans widely used in East Asian cooking and sweets
Example: The pastry was filled with sweet adzuki bean paste.
๐ซ๐ท French: Haricots azuki
๐ฉ๐ช German: Adzukibohnen
๐ฎ๐น Italian: Fagioli azuki
๐ต๐น Portuguese: Feijรฃo azuki
๐ก Nuance: The name is also spelled azuki. Do not assume that every red bean is a kidney bean; adzuki beans belong to a very different culinary tradition.
small red beans widely used in East Asian cooking and sweets
Example: The pastry was filled with sweet adzuki bean paste.
Show translations
๐ช๐ธ Spanish: Judรญas adzuki๐ซ๐ท French: Haricots azuki
๐ฉ๐ช German: Adzukibohnen
๐ฎ๐น Italian: Fagioli azuki
๐ต๐น Portuguese: Feijรฃo azuki
๐ก Nuance: The name is also spelled azuki. Do not assume that every red bean is a kidney bean; adzuki beans belong to a very different culinary tradition.
๐ข Mung Beans
small green beans eaten whole, split, or sprouted
Example: The stir-fry contained crunchy mung bean sprouts.
๐ซ๐ท French: Haricots mungo
๐ฉ๐ช German: Mungbohnen
๐ฎ๐น Italian: Fagioli mung
๐ต๐น Portuguese: Feijรฃo-mungo
๐ก Nuance: Mung beans may also appear as moong, especially in South Asian contexts. Sprouted means allowed to begin growing before being eaten.
small green beans eaten whole, split, or sprouted
Example: The stir-fry contained crunchy mung bean sprouts.
Show translations
๐ช๐ธ Spanish: Judรญas mungo๐ซ๐ท French: Haricots mungo
๐ฉ๐ช German: Mungbohnen
๐ฎ๐น Italian: Fagioli mung
๐ต๐น Portuguese: Feijรฃo-mungo
๐ก Nuance: Mung beans may also appear as moong, especially in South Asian contexts. Sprouted means allowed to begin growing before being eaten.
๐ก Soybeans
beans used to make foods such as tofu, soy milk, miso, soy sauce, and edamame
Example: Edamame is made from young green soybeans.
๐ซ๐ท French: Soja
๐ฉ๐ช German: Sojabohnen
๐ฎ๐น Italian: Soia
๐ต๐น Portuguese: Soja
๐ก Nuance: Edamame refers to young soybeans harvested and eaten while green. Soybean is the broader English name for the crop and bean.
beans used to make foods such as tofu, soy milk, miso, soy sauce, and edamame
Example: Edamame is made from young green soybeans.
Show translations
๐ช๐ธ Spanish: Soja / soya๐ซ๐ท French: Soja
๐ฉ๐ช German: Sojabohnen
๐ฎ๐น Italian: Soia
๐ต๐น Portuguese: Soja
๐ก Nuance: Edamame refers to young soybeans harvested and eaten while green. Soybean is the broader English name for the crop and bean.
๐ค Moth Beans
small drought-tolerant beans used especially in Indian cooking
Example: The salad was made with sprouted moth beans.
๐ซ๐ท French: Haricots moth
๐ฉ๐ช German: Moth-Bohnen
๐ฎ๐น Italian: Fagioli moth
๐ต๐น Portuguese: Feijรฃo moth
๐ก Nuance: Moth beans are also called matki. Despite the English spelling, the word moth here names the bean and does not refer to the insect.
small drought-tolerant beans used especially in Indian cooking
Example: The salad was made with sprouted moth beans.
Show translations
๐ช๐ธ Spanish: Judรญas moth / matki๐ซ๐ท French: Haricots moth
๐ฉ๐ช German: Moth-Bohnen
๐ฎ๐น Italian: Fagioli moth
๐ต๐น Portuguese: Feijรฃo moth
๐ก Nuance: Moth beans are also called matki. Despite the English spelling, the word moth here names the bean and does not refer to the insect.
โซ Urad Beans
black gram used whole or split in South Asian dals and batters
Example: Urad dal is an important ingredient in the batter for idli and dosa.
๐ซ๐ท French: Urad
๐ฉ๐ช German: Urad-Bohnen
๐ฎ๐น Italian: Urad
๐ต๐น Portuguese: Urad
๐ก Nuance: Urad has a dark outer skin and a pale interior. It is completely different from the shiny black beans used in Latin American cooking.
black gram used whole or split in South Asian dals and batters
Example: Urad dal is an important ingredient in the batter for idli and dosa.
Show translations
๐ช๐ธ Spanish: Urad / frijol negro gram๐ซ๐ท French: Urad
๐ฉ๐ช German: Urad-Bohnen
๐ฎ๐น Italian: Urad
๐ต๐น Portuguese: Urad
๐ก Nuance: Urad has a dark outer skin and a pale interior. It is completely different from the shiny black beans used in Latin American cooking.
๐ซ Other Legumes: Peas, Chickpeas & Lentils
๐ก Chickpeas
round beige legumes also called garbanzo beans
Example: Hummus is made primarily from chickpeas and tahini.
๐ซ๐ท French: Pois chiches
๐ฉ๐ช German: Kichererbsen
๐ฎ๐น Italian: Ceci
๐ต๐น Portuguese: Grรฃo-de-bico
๐ก Nuance: Chickpeas and garbanzo beans are two common English labels for the same food. Both may appear on cans and grocery packages.
round beige legumes also called garbanzo beans
Example: Hummus is made primarily from chickpeas and tahini.
Show translations
๐ช๐ธ Spanish: Garbanzos๐ซ๐ท French: Pois chiches
๐ฉ๐ช German: Kichererbsen
๐ฎ๐น Italian: Ceci
๐ต๐น Portuguese: Grรฃo-de-bico
๐ก Nuance: Chickpeas and garbanzo beans are two common English labels for the same food. Both may appear on cans and grocery packages.
๐ค Lentils
small, lens-shaped legumes that are usually sold dried and cook more quickly than most dried beans
Example: She simmered the lentils with onions, carrots, and spices until they were tender.
๐ซ๐ท French: Lentilles
๐ฉ๐ช German: Linsen
๐ฎ๐น Italian: Lenticchie
๐ต๐น Portuguese: Lentilhas
๐ก Nuance: Lentils belong to the broader legume family, along with beans and peas, but they are not usually called beans in everyday English. Brown and green lentils often hold their shape better, while red and yellow lentils commonly soften and break down during cooking.
small, lens-shaped legumes that are usually sold dried and cook more quickly than most dried beans
Example: She simmered the lentils with onions, carrots, and spices until they were tender.
Show translations
๐ช๐ธ Spanish: Lentejas๐ซ๐ท French: Lentilles
๐ฉ๐ช German: Linsen
๐ฎ๐น Italian: Lenticchie
๐ต๐น Portuguese: Lentilhas
๐ก Nuance: Lentils belong to the broader legume family, along with beans and peas, but they are not usually called beans in everyday English. Brown and green lentils often hold their shape better, while red and yellow lentils commonly soften and break down during cooking.
๐๏ธ Black-Eyed Peas
cream-colored cowpeas with a distinctive dark marking
Example: Black-eyed peas are traditionally eaten on New Year's Day in parts of the United States.
๐ซ๐ท French: Haricots ร ลil noir
๐ฉ๐ช German: Schwarzaugenbohnen
๐ฎ๐น Italian: Fagioli dallโocchio
๐ต๐น Portuguese: Feijรฃo-fradinho
๐ก Nuance: Despite their name, black-eyed peas are not black beans. They belong to the broader group called cowpeas.
cream-colored cowpeas with a distinctive dark marking
Example: Black-eyed peas are traditionally eaten on New Year's Day in parts of the United States.
Show translations
๐ช๐ธ Spanish: Judรญas de careta / chรญcharos de vaca๐ซ๐ท French: Haricots ร ลil noir
๐ฉ๐ช German: Schwarzaugenbohnen
๐ฎ๐น Italian: Fagioli dallโocchio
๐ต๐น Portuguese: Feijรฃo-fradinho
๐ก Nuance: Despite their name, black-eyed peas are not black beans. They belong to the broader group called cowpeas.
๐ Cowpeas
a broad group of legumes that includes black-eyed peas and other field peas
Example: Black-eyed peas and crowder peas are both types of cowpea.
๐ซ๐ท French: Niรฉbรฉ
๐ฉ๐ช German: Augenbohnen / Kuherbsen
๐ฎ๐น Italian: Fagioli dallโocchio
๐ต๐น Portuguese: Feijรฃo-caupi
๐ก Nuance: Cowpea is a category word, while black-eyed pea names one especially familiar type within that category.
a broad group of legumes that includes black-eyed peas and other field peas
Example: Black-eyed peas and crowder peas are both types of cowpea.
Show translations
๐ช๐ธ Spanish: Caupรญ๐ซ๐ท French: Niรฉbรฉ
๐ฉ๐ช German: Augenbohnen / Kuherbsen
๐ฎ๐น Italian: Fagioli dallโocchio
๐ต๐น Portuguese: Feijรฃo-caupi
๐ก Nuance: Cowpea is a category word, while black-eyed pea names one especially familiar type within that category.
๐งก Pigeon Peas
small legumes used in Caribbean, African, and South Asian cooking
Example: The rice was cooked with pigeon peas and spices.
๐ซ๐ท French: Pois dโAngole
๐ฉ๐ช German: Straucherbsen
๐ฎ๐น Italian: Piselli dโAngola
๐ต๐น Portuguese: Feijรฃo-guandu / andu
๐ก Nuance: In Puerto Rican food vocabulary, you may see the Spanish word gandules. Pigeon peas are not the same as chickpeas or black-eyed peas.
small legumes used in Caribbean, African, and South Asian cooking
Example: The rice was cooked with pigeon peas and spices.
Show translations
๐ช๐ธ Spanish: Guandรบ / gandules๐ซ๐ท French: Pois dโAngole
๐ฉ๐ช German: Straucherbsen
๐ฎ๐น Italian: Piselli dโAngola
๐ต๐น Portuguese: Feijรฃo-guandu / andu
๐ก Nuance: In Puerto Rican food vocabulary, you may see the Spanish word gandules. Pigeon peas are not the same as chickpeas or black-eyed peas.
๐ Hyacinth Beans
beans from a climbing plant with distinctive purple or green pods
Example: The hyacinth bean vine was grown both as an ornamental plant and for food.
๐ซ๐ท French: Dolique dโรgypte
๐ฉ๐ช German: Helmbohnen
๐ฎ๐น Italian: Fagiolo egiziano
๐ต๐น Portuguese: Feijรฃo-jacinto
๐ก Nuance: Ornamental means grown mainly for appearance or decoration. Some plants can be both ornamental and culinary.
beans from a climbing plant with distinctive purple or green pods
Example: The hyacinth bean vine was grown both as an ornamental plant and for food.
Show translations
๐ช๐ธ Spanish: Judรญa jacinto๐ซ๐ท French: Dolique dโรgypte
๐ฉ๐ช German: Helmbohnen
๐ฎ๐น Italian: Fagiolo egiziano
๐ต๐น Portuguese: Feijรฃo-jacinto
๐ก Nuance: Ornamental means grown mainly for appearance or decoration. Some plants can be both ornamental and culinary.
โ๏ธ Winged Beans
tropical beans whose pods have four distinctive frilled edges
Example: The young winged-bean pods were sliced and added to the salad.
๐ซ๐ท French: Haricot ailรฉ
๐ฉ๐ช German: Flรผgelbohnen
๐ฎ๐น Italian: Fagiolo alato
๐ต๐น Portuguese: Feijรฃo-alado
๐ก Nuance: The word winged describes the shape of the pod. The โwingsโ are raised edges running along its sides.
tropical beans whose pods have four distinctive frilled edges
Example: The young winged-bean pods were sliced and added to the salad.
Show translations
๐ช๐ธ Spanish: Judรญa alada๐ซ๐ท French: Haricot ailรฉ
๐ฉ๐ช German: Flรผgelbohnen
๐ฎ๐น Italian: Fagiolo alato
๐ต๐น Portuguese: Feijรฃo-alado
๐ก Nuance: The word winged describes the shape of the pod. The โwingsโ are raised edges running along its sides.
๐ง Useful Distinctions
โช Navy vs. ๐ค Great Northern vs. ๐ฎ๐น Cannellini
These are three familiar white beans. Navy beans are small and become very tender. Great Northern beans are medium-sized and hold their shape well. Cannellini beans are larger, creamier, and strongly associated with Italian cooking.
These are three familiar white beans. Navy beans are small and become very tender. Great Northern beans are medium-sized and hold their shape well. Cannellini beans are larger, creamier, and strongly associated with Italian cooking.
๐ด Kidney vs. โค๏ธ Red vs. ๐ป Small Red
Kidney beans are large and kidney-shaped. Small red beans are smaller and commonly associated with Louisiana cooking. Red beans can be used as a broader color-based label.
Kidney beans are large and kidney-shaped. Small red beans are smaller and commonly associated with Louisiana cooking. Red beans can be used as a broader color-based label.
๐ค Pinto vs. ๐ธ Pink vs. ๐ท Cranberry / ๐ฎ๐น Borlotti
Pinto beans are beige with brown speckles. Pink beans have a more even pink color. Cranberry and borlotti refer to closely related cream-colored beans with dramatic red or pink streaks.
Pinto beans are beige with brown speckles. Pink beans have a more even pink color. Cranberry and borlotti refer to closely related cream-colored beans with dramatic red or pink streaks.
๐ข Lima vs. ๐ฟ Fava
Lima beans are flat and may also be called butter beans when large. Fava beans, also called broad beans, are a different plant and fresh favas often require extra peeling.
Lima beans are flat and may also be called butter beans when large. Fava beans, also called broad beans, are a different plant and fresh favas often require extra peeling.
๐๏ธ Black-Eyed Pea vs. ๐ Cowpea vs. ๐๏ธ Yellow-Eyed Bean
A black-eyed pea is one type of cowpea. Cowpea is the broader category. A yellow-eyed bean is a different white bean with a yellow marking.
A black-eyed pea is one type of cowpea. Cowpea is the broader category. A yellow-eyed bean is a different white bean with a yellow marking.
๐ก Chickpeas vs. ๐งก Pigeon Peas
Chickpeas are round beige legumes also known as garbanzo beans. Pigeon peas are smaller and appear in foods from the Caribbean, Africa, and South Asia; gandules is another name you may encounter.
Chickpeas are round beige legumes also known as garbanzo beans. Pigeon peas are smaller and appear in foods from the Caribbean, Africa, and South Asia; gandules is another name you may encounter.
โซ Black Beans vs. โซ Urad
Black beans are the shiny beans common in Latin American cooking. Urad is black gram used in South Asian dal and fermented batters. Similar color does not mean the same bean.
Black beans are the shiny beans common in Latin American cooking. Urad is black gram used in South Asian dal and fermented batters. Similar color does not mean the same bean.
๐ฌ Everyday Bean Phrases
๐ฎ๐น Cannellini beans are larger than navy beans.
comparing two common white beans
๐ซ๐ท Les cannellini sont plus gros que les navy beans.
๐ฉ๐ช Cannellini-Bohnen sind grรถรer als Navy-Bohnen.
๐ฎ๐น I cannellini sono piรน grandi dei navy beans.
๐ต๐น Os cannellini sรฃo maiores do que os navy beans.
comparing two common white beans
Show translations
๐ช๐ธ Los cannellini son mรกs grandes que los navy beans.๐ซ๐ท Les cannellini sont plus gros que les navy beans.
๐ฉ๐ช Cannellini-Bohnen sind grรถรer als Navy-Bohnen.
๐ฎ๐น I cannellini sono piรน grandi dei navy beans.
๐ต๐น Os cannellini sรฃo maiores do que os navy beans.
๐ท Borlotti and cranberry beans are two names you may see for similar streaked beans.
recognizing alternative grocery labels
๐ซ๐ท Borlotti et cranberry sont deux noms que lโon peut voir pour des haricots striรฉs similaires.
๐ฉ๐ช Borlotti und Cranberry sind zwei Namen fรผr รคhnliche gestreifte Bohnen.
๐ฎ๐น Borlotti e cranberry sono due nomi che si possono trovare per fagioli striati simili.
๐ต๐น Borlotti e cranberry sรฃo dois nomes que se podem encontrar para feijรตes rajados semelhantes.
recognizing alternative grocery labels
Show translations
๐ช๐ธ Borlotti y cranberry son dos nombres que puedes ver para frijoles veteados similares.๐ซ๐ท Borlotti et cranberry sont deux noms que lโon peut voir pour des haricots striรฉs similaires.
๐ฉ๐ช Borlotti und Cranberry sind zwei Namen fรผr รคhnliche gestreifte Bohnen.
๐ฎ๐น Borlotti e cranberry sono due nomi che si possono trovare per fagioli striati simili.
๐ต๐น Borlotti e cranberry sรฃo dois nomes que se podem encontrar para feijรตes rajados semelhantes.
๐๏ธ Black-eyed peas are cowpeas, not black beans.
similar names, different legumes
๐ซ๐ท Les black-eyed peas sont des niรฉbรฉs, pas des haricots noirs.
๐ฉ๐ช Black-Eyed Peas sind Kuherbsen, keine schwarzen Bohnen.
๐ฎ๐น I black-eyed peas sono cowpea, non fagioli neri.
๐ต๐น Black-eyed peas sรฃo caupi, nรฃo feijรฃo preto.
similar names, different legumes
Show translations
๐ช๐ธ Los black-eyed peas son caupรญ, no frijoles negros.๐ซ๐ท Les black-eyed peas sont des niรฉbรฉs, pas des haricots noirs.
๐ฉ๐ช Black-Eyed Peas sind Kuherbsen, keine schwarzen Bohnen.
๐ฎ๐น I black-eyed peas sono cowpea, non fagioli neri.
๐ต๐น Black-eyed peas sรฃo caupi, nรฃo feijรฃo preto.
๐ก Chickpeas and garbanzo beans are two names for the same food.
two common grocery names
๐ซ๐ท Chickpeas et garbanzo beans sont deux noms pour le mรชme aliment.
๐ฉ๐ช Chickpeas und garbanzo beans sind zwei Namen fรผr dasselbe Lebensmittel.
๐ฎ๐น Chickpeas e garbanzo beans sono due nomi per lo stesso alimento.
๐ต๐น Chickpeas e garbanzo beans sรฃo dois nomes para o mesmo alimento.
two common grocery names
Show translations
๐ช๐ธ Chickpeas y garbanzo beans son dos nombres para el mismo alimento.๐ซ๐ท Chickpeas et garbanzo beans sont deux noms pour le mรชme aliment.
๐ฉ๐ช Chickpeas und garbanzo beans sind zwei Namen fรผr dasselbe Lebensmittel.
๐ฎ๐น Chickpeas e garbanzo beans sono due nomi per lo stesso alimento.
๐ต๐น Chickpeas e garbanzo beans sรฃo dois nomes para o mesmo alimento.
๐ Final Practice
English in the Real World:
Imagine you are reading a recipe, shopping for dried beans, ordering a meal, or comparing labels. Choose the bean word that best fits each situation.
Imagine you are reading a recipe, shopping for dried beans, ordering a meal, or comparing labels. Choose the bean word that best fits each situation.
Question 1 of 8
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