Are Green Beans And String Beans The Same?

They look pretty similar, but are green beans and string beans the same? While older generations may argue, my answer is locked in!

Green beans are rich in vitamins, easy to prepare, and perfect next to many mains. If you didn’t grow up eating these on Sunday for lunch, you definitely missed out! Bean varieties are a favorite in my family, and grandma knows how to serve one type in mindblowing variations. 

In this article, I share whether green and string beans are the same. You’ll also read about the different types of green beans and learn the other names they go by.

Are Green Beans And String Beans The Same?

Green beans and string beans used to be different, but nowadays, the names refer to the same thing. At first, all beans used to have a string running along their seam, and that’s where their name came from. As agriculture advanced, farmers started growing beans without strings. 

What Is The Difference Between Green Beans and String Beans?

Both green beans and string beans are stringless today. In general, they’re just known as green beans.

You can eat the entire green bean – pod and all. This places it in the snapping bean category. 

Do All Green Beans Have Strings?

All green beans don’t have strings. In fact, most are stringless. Over the years, farmers carefully manipulated their crops to eliminate this part they deem unnecessary. 

Today, you’ll only find heirloom varieties with strings. 

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The Different Types of Green Beans

There are over 100 green bean varieties, but they can be divided into two categories: bush beans and pole beans. Here’s a little about some of each group!

Bush Bean Varieties

#1 Jade Beans

Jade beans have a straight, rigid appearance. They have dark green outer flesh and light green round pods inside. You can expect your first harvest within 60 days of planting them.

#2 Maxibel Beans

This dark green bean is thin and stingless with mottled brown seeds. They take about 50 days to mature. 

#3 Contender Beans

These beans are best for growing during cool and short summers. They’re slightly curved, and you can eat them fresh, pickled, canned, or frozen. They take 50 to 55 days to grow.

#4 Provider Beans

Provider beans are compact and produce five 1 – 2 inch thin stringless beans. This variety prefers cooler temperatures and matures within 50 days.

Sow Right Seeds – Tri Color Bush Bean Seed Collection for Planting

#5 Rolande Beans

The rolande bean variety produces thin 7-inch stringless beans. You’ll have to wait about 50 days to harvest it. 

#6 Blue Lake Beans

These beans grow during the summer and have a deep green color. They are long and stringless and take about 55 days to mature.

#7 Tendergreen Beans

Tendergreen beans prefer hot climates and are disease resistant. They produce stringless pods within 55 days of planting.

#8 Dragon Tongue Beans

These beans are pale yellow with purple streaks. You can harvest them in different stages of their growth. The first harvest can take place when they’re green, although you can wait until maturity when they’re a shelling bean. Dragon tongue bean seeds are brown and take about 60 days to mature.

#9 Soleil Beans

Soleil beans are thin with white seeds and yellow pods. You can start harvesting them from day 60. 

Pole Bean Varieties

#1 Spanish Musica Beans

Spanish musica beans produce large green beans on a 6 to 10 feet vine. You should harvest them when they’re about 8 inches, although they can stay tender up to 10 inches. This bean has white seeds and is ready for harvest in about 75 days. 

#2 Trionfo Violetta Beans

This Italian heirloom bean has purple pods, leaves, and flowers. They can take up to 75 days to mature but are easy to harvest.

#3 Rattlesnake Beans

These beans produce 7-inch round green beans with purple stripes. They’re similar to the dragon tongue variety and can grow up to 8 feet tall. 

Rattlesnake bean seeds are brown and take between 70 and 80 days to mature. 

#4 Fortex Beans

Forex beans are long and take approximately 60 days to mature. You can harvest them at 7 inches for a thin bean or wait until 11 inches for a bigger one.

#5 Kentucky Wonder Beans

This American classic is edible fresh, frozen, pickled, or canned. It produces dark green round beans within 70 days and is disease resistant.

Green Beans: Other Names They Go By!

There are many different names used to describe green beans. From classic to fancy, here they are!

Snap Beans: This name is often used for green beans eaten as is. They’re green, round, and long. Snap or snapping green beans get their name from the snapping sound they make when you break them while they’re still unripe. 

Haricots Verts: These green beans are thin and delicate. They’re typically used in salads and have a higher price than others.

Shelling Beans: When green beans pass maturity, they get bigger and starchier. At this stage, they’re called shelling beans. You can still consume the delicious seeds inside, but the outside pod is inedible.

Dried Beans: After the shelling stage, green beans dry out. 

Ramano Beans: Italian green beans are called romano beans. They tend to be smaller, and you’ll need to cook them longer. These beans are flavorful, flat, and wide!

In Ending

Green beans are delicious, easy to grow, and healthy. You can harvest your own within 60 days! They’re one of the oldest cultivated veggies and remain popular in many diets. 

There are many different green bean variants to choose from if you’re considering planting your own. Most string beans are heirlooms, but those without strings are just as great. 

I hope you enjoyed reading this article and found it helpful. If you have more questions about green beans or other vegetables, bounce them into the comments section, and I’ll get back to you!