Pink Beans

Pink beans are an azure hued, round-flattened legume that have been a part of Mexican cuisine for centuries. Also called ayocote bean, or simply ayocote, these beans differ in color and shape depending on variety and the type of soil they’re grown in. In the United States, pink beans have become popular as a topping for salads, an ingredient in salsas or as a side dish. To understand how these speckled beans make it to your dinner plate, an exploration of the journey they take from seed to plate is necessary.

The Journey Begins

The path to the dinner plate for pink beans begins with the process of harvesting and planting the seeds. In Mexico, where pink beans are most predominately grown, this process is still mostly done by hand. The beans are gathered from the plant with small pickaxes and put into small bags suspended from their waists. The beans that are gathered this way are taken to the local market and sold as fresh produce, or as dried beans, which will become the product destined for dinner tables around the globe.

Once the beans have been collected, they can be dried for shipment. This process is done using warm sunlight and, in some areas, mechanized dryers. Heat and airflow are carefully regulated to achieve the right level of dryness. After drying, the beans are sorted and packaged for distribution. Depending on variety and quality, the beans may be packaged in bin or burlap bags or in 1- or 2-pound bags in air-tight plastic containers. Once they are ready for shipment, the beans are loaded onto trucks or containers bound for their destination.

From Fields to Distributors

From the fields, the pink beans are shipped to distributors. Usually, the distributors are located in large cities or agricultural centers near the farms where they were harvested. Here, they are offloaded from their shipping containers and weighed, inspected, and stored until buyers come to take them.

The beans are then divided up into two categories: food grade, for edible products, and industrial grade, for things like skin creams and dyes. Food grade beans are granulated, then the beans are mixed in with other types of beans until the desired proportions are reached. The mixture is then sealed in large plastic bags and bulk containers for sale to retailers.

From Distributors to Retailers

From distributors, the packaged beans are generally shipped to grocery stores. Depending on location, the beans could be loaded onto a truck and delivered locally, or they could be loaded onto a container ship and sent overseas.

Once the beans arrive at their destination, they are inspected once more and packed into the retailer’s space. Depending on the type of facility, the beans may be kept in refrigerated or dry storage to preserve the quality. They could also be put on shelves for customers to purchase.

From Retailers to the Kitchen

When customers purchase pink beans from a store, they take them home with instructions for how to cook the product. This includes instructions for soaking and boiling the beans. Before cooking, beans need to be soaked in a cool place overnight, or quick-soaked by boiling them for two to three minutes, then letting them sit for one hour. After they are done soaking, the beans are ready to be boiled. They can be cooked in a pot on the stovetop, in a pressure cooker, or in a slow cooker.

Once the beans are cooked, they are ready to be served. Generally, they are served whole as a side dish, or mashed together with Mexican style spices and vegetables to make refried beans, a popular Mexican dish. Alternatively, they could also be mashed and combined with other ingredients to create bean-based stews, dips, and tacos.

Conclusion

Pink beans are an azure colored legume that have been a part of Mexican cuisine for centuries. From harvesting and planting, to sorting and packaging, to distribution across the world, the process by which these speckled specimens make it to your dinner plate is complex and impressive. Understanding the journey from seed to plate can help us appreciate the unique flavor and texture of this popular Mexican crop even more.