Purple Green Beans

Purple Green Beans

Purple Green Beans are a particularly unique species of green beans. Just like the name indicates, these beans are purple as opposed to the common green colored green beans. Surprisingly, although they are purple when fresh, their color turns red when they are cooked.

This article is a brief guide into how to grow purple green beans, the steps to follow when preparing the soil and harvesting. This article also briefly discusses how these unique beans can be utilized after harvesting.

Purple green beans are also commonly known as the Royal Burgundy.

Health Benefits Of Purple Green Beans

Now, before we delve into planting purple green beans, let’s consider some of their nutritional and health benefits.

If you were not previously knowledgeable about purple green beans, you may be in wonder as to their nutritional benefits. Let us briefly consider some of its nutritional benefits:

  • Healthy Weight: Green beans contain very low calories and virtually no fat and a very low amount of sugar. This means that if you are interested in watching your weight, you are very likely to benefit from green beans.

  • Support Heart Health: Another key benefit of consuming green beans is that it provides huge support for your heart health. Green beans contain fiber which may help lower blood pressure and reduce the occurrence of heart inflammation. The low sodium content of purple green beans makes it even more ideal for heart support.

Health Benefits Of Purple Green Beans
  • High Protein Content: Green beans are renowned for containing very high protein. Protein generally helps to maintain healthy bones, hair, organs, and muscles in the body. A balanced protein intake is also essential to a healthy immune system.

  • Vitamins and Minerals: In addition to the above, this plant is a great source of vitamins and minerals. Essential vitamins such as vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin K, and Vitamin E are all contained in green beans. Similarly, minerals like calcium, iron, zinc, potassium are contained in green beans.

  • Other Benefits: There is a wide variety of other benefits to be derived from consuming purple green beans. These include cancer prevention; improved chances of pregnancy and fertility, healthy bones, amongst other benefits are attained.

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Growing Purple Green Beans

You should make sure to observe the following tips when growing purple green beans so as to achieve the best possible result:

  • Warm Sunny Location: Very importantly, purple green beans like other varieties of green beans require a warm sunny location. The soil temperature should be between 60 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit.

  • Best Type of Soil: The best type of soil for growing purple green beans is organically rich loamy soil. The soil should be one with good water drainage. Ensure you prepare the soil by providing required nutrients, removing weeds, and moisturizing before planting your beans.

Sow Right Seeds – Royal Burgundy Bean Seed for Planting – Non-GMO Heirloom

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  • Preparing the Beans for Planting: Purple green beans must be prepared adequately before planting takes place. This is done by soaking the beans overnight in a bucket of cool or slightly warm water. Make sure to stir sufficient inoculant into beans before planting.

  • Fertilizer Application: Since purple green beans are legumes, they usually fix the nitrogen content in the soil. As such, you should avoid nitrogen-rich fertilizers. It is best to use a 10-20-10 fertilizer when growing purple green beans.

  • Time for Planting: The best time to plant purple green beans is usually any time after the last spring frost date. At this time, the temperature of the soil has improved significantly.

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Planting Purple Green Beans

When planting purple green beans, make sure to do the following:

  • Prepare Seed Beds: You should dig rows of about 18 to 36 inches apart on which the seeds will be planted.

  • Dig Trench Down the Middle of Each Row: After making the rows upon which the seeds are to be planted, you should dig a trench right in the middle of each row. The prepared bean seeds should be placed 2 inches apart in the trench and thereafter the seeds covered with soil.

  • Succession Planting: If you wish your harvest to be sustained for the duration of a long period of time, you should adopt succession planting. This means that all available rows should not be planted at the same time. You should spread your planting may be over a month.

  • Water Consistently: Green beans require some moisture if it is to flourish. You should therefore water consistently, keeping the soil moist but not soaking wet. A total water supply of about 1 inch is required weekly by green beans for the duration of the growing season.

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Harvesting Purple Green Beans

Royal Burgundy beans also known as Purple green beans are usually ready for harvesting between 50 to 69 days. Knowing when to harvest and how to go about the harvesting process is key to getting the best possible nutrition from the beans.

You can harvest the tender young beans when they have grown to about 3 to 4 inches in length. At this time, they usually give out the best possible flavor.

The harvesting period usually takes between two to three weeks, thereafter, the plant stops producing the beans. There is no need to wait after time for more harvest. This is because continued care of the plant will only benefit the leaves, but will not yield any other harvest.

Harvesting Purple Green Beans

How To Store/Preserve Purple Green Beans

Eating Purple green beans after it is freshly harvested is no doubt the best way to enjoy most of the nutritional value.

To preserve the beans, you may decide to cook. This however is very likely to cause a reduction in nutrients like vitamin C. You may also decide to store purple green beans in a refrigerator after putting them in a plastic bag. You can preserve green beans this way for up to a week after harvesting.

Purple Green Beans: Final Say

So, what we have seen above are purple green beans which are one of the varieties of green beans. Although it has a purple color when fresh, it turns green when cooked. It has a lot of nutritional benefits when consumed also.

FAQ’s

Why do purple beans turn green when cooked?

You will notice a change of coloration as you cook your purple green beans. This is because the cells begin to rupture and lose water. When this happens, the acid around the anthocyanins is diluted allowing the green chlorophyll to show.

Do all purple beans turn green when cooked?

As a result of the heat involved in cooking, all purple green beans turn green when being cooked. This is because the heat causes the anthocyanins to deteriorate.

What do purple green beans taste like?

The flavor of purple green beans can be likened to a French green bean with grassy notes and a sweet finish.

How To Cook Purple Hull Green Beans?

You can cook your purple hull green beans by following the following steps:
• Wash your beans and cut off the end of the beans. Heat your water and oil and add the green beans when the oil is hot. Stir to coat and allow to boil for 5 minutes. Uncover the pot and check if they are done. You should note that the longer they are cooked, the less crispy they become. Sprinkle with salt and pepper. Serve warm and enjoy.