Green beans get their color from chlorophyll, and yellow wax beans are simply green beans that have been bred to have none of this pigment. So the questions are, does chlorophyll contribute to the flavor of green beans and will you miss it if it’s not there?
We tasted green and wax beans steamed until crisp-tender and braised in our Mediterranean Braised Green Beans recipe (see related content). In both applications, tasters found very little difference in the flavors of the two beans, calling both sweet and “grassy.” But wax beans did have one advantage over green: Because they have little color to lose during prolonged braising, their appearance changes less than that of green beans, which tend to turn a drab olive. So if you’re making a long-cooked bean dish and are picky about aesthetics, go for the gold.
Wax beans are the same type of bean as green string beans, except they’re yellow — that’s really the only difference. They have been bred to not contain chlorophyll, which is responsible for the green color in green beans.
Trending Searches
Can green and wax beans be used interchangeably?
Green beans get their color from chlorophyll, and yellow wax beans are simply green beans that have been bred to have none of this pigment. So the questions are, does chlorophyll contribute to the flavor of green beans and will you miss it if it’s not there?
We tasted green and wax beans steamed until crisp-tender and braised in our Mediterranean Braised Green Beans recipe (see related content). In both applications, tasters found very little difference in the flavors of the two beans, calling both sweet and “grassy.” But wax beans did have one advantage over green: Because they have little color to lose during prolonged braising, their appearance changes less than that of green beans, which tend to turn a drab olive. So if you’re making a long-cooked bean dish and are picky about aesthetics, go for the gold.
Tip Of The Day: Yellow Waxed Beans
FAQ
What is the difference between wax beans and green beans?
What are other names for green beans?
Are wax green beans good for you?
Are pole beans just green beans?
Are beans gluten free?
Beans should be gluten free, since they do not contain any wheat gluten. However, it is important to read labels, especially for canned beans because there might be additives that add gluten. Some of the additives to look out for are wheat starch, wheat flour, or any other wheat additives that could contain gluten. Your best bet is to look for canned beans labelled gluten free. Dry beans can also become contaminated with gluten if there is any cross-contamination with wheat during processing. The best bet is to wash beans before use, this should get rid of any potential gluten on dry beans.
Do purple wax beans taste like green beans?
Purple wax beans also taste pretty much the same as green beans, and their color comes from chlorophyll-masking anthocyanin, also found in purple cauliflower and Okinawa sweet potatoes. Unlike with purple sweet potatoes, this color is not preserved during cooking; purple wax beans turn green when cooked. Bean Buying 101: Fresh or Frozen?
How do green beans differ from other beans?
Green beans differ from other beans in that you cook them still in their bean pods. This is in contrast to black beans or pinto beans, which you harvest from their pods before enjoying them. You can steam or blanch green beans to retain the color and nutrients.