Runner Beans

Runner Beans

American Green Beans (left)
Runner Beans (right)
© Denzil Green

Runner Beans look like somewhat larger versions of what North Americans know as Green Beans or String Beans. There are a few differences, other than just size. Runner Beans are a perennial plant, whereas Green Beans are annuals. When the Runner Bean seed first starts to grow, the stem and the first set of leaves are the first thing to emerge from the ground. When a Green Bean seed starts to grow, the first thing to emerge from the ground is the two halves of the seed. Runner Bean vines twist clockwise, Green Bean vines twist counterclockwise.

The main difference from a gardening point of view, though, is that with their showy flowers, Runner Beans double as an ornamental plant. Green Bean vines just put out small flowers; Runner Bean vines will put out inch long (2.5 cm) flowers, often a flashy orange colour, about 20 flowers to a stalk. Hummingbirds and bees love Runner Bean flowers.

Runner Bean pods will be anywhere from 6 to 12 inches long (15 to 30 cm); inside, there will be between 6 and 10 beans, each about an inch long (2.5 cm).

Varieties that put out scarlet-coloured (actually orangish-coloured) flowers include "Scarlet Emperor" and Scarlet Runner. The white-flowered varieties include Czar and White Runner.

Cooking Tips
When very young, you can use Runner Beans raw in salads, but otherwise you will want to cook them. They don't need to be podded or stringed; just slice and boil or steam until tender. Very old ones, though, may need stringing.

Nutrition
Per 100 g (3 1/2 oz) contain 26 calories. Good source of fibre, mineral salts, Vitamin C, protein and carotene.

Some sources say that the tuberous roots of the plant can be toxic; others say that they are eaten by native South Americans.

Storage
To freeze, top and tail them, cut into short pieces, blanch for two minutes, drain, pack and freeze for up to one year.

History

Runner beans are native to Central America.

In the 1630s, a man named John Tradescant, Sr, was the gardener for Charles 1st at Oatlands Palace, Surrey. American colonists had discovered and started growing Runner Beans. Tradescant learnt of them, had some sent over to him in England, and began growing them in the royal gardens in 1633 -- for the sake of their bright red flowers! They were used for decorative gardening purposes up until about the mid 1700's, at which point they began to be used for food. Many people in Southern England still train them on trellises for their appearance.

Tradescant was also a well-known collector of curiosities. Upon his death, he willed his items to a Elias Ashmole, who in turn passed the collection to Oxford University, where it became the basis of what is known today as the Ashmolean Museum, the oldest public museum in Britain.

Also called: Phaseolus coccineus (Scientific Name) Stangenbohnen (German) Habichuelas (Spanish)

Other entries for Runner Beans
Black Runner Beans, Eye of the Goat Beans, Gigande Beans, Mortgage Runner Beans, Painted Lady Beans, Runner Cannellini Beans, Scarlet Runner Beans, Soissons Blanc Beans, Sweet White Runner Beans, Tarahumara Tekomari Scarlet Runner Beans, White Runner Beans, Yellow Indian Woman Beans

Other entries for Beans
Adzuki Beans, Anasazi Beans, Apache Beans, Appaloosa Beans, Aramis Beans, Aunt Emma's Beans, Baccicia Beans, Baked Beans, Bayo Beans (Louisiana), Black Beans, Black Nightfall Beans, Bleu du Lac St-Jean Beans, Broad Beans, Brown Rice Beans, Bush Beans, Canary Beans, Chana Dal, Chickashaw Beans, Chickpeas, Chinese Long Bean, Cow-Itch Beans, Cowpeas, Cranberry Beans, Crochu de Savoie Beans, Dainagon Beans, Dolico Veneto Beans, Dragon Tongue Beans, Dry Beans, European Soldier Beans, Falcon Rice Beans, Flageolet Beans, Flor de Junio Beans, Flor de Mayo Beans, Fortin Family Beans, Fradinho Beans, French Fillet Beans, Garboncito Beans, Garrofo Beans, Good Mother Stallard Beans, Great Northern Beans, Green Beans, Green Flageolet Beans, Green Rice Beans, Hopi Black Pinto Beans, Jackson Wonder Beans, Kahnawake Mohawk Beans, Kunde Beans, Lablab Beans, Lima Beans, Lupini Beans, Madeira Beans, Magpie Beans, Mexican Bayo Beans, Moth Beans, Mung Beans, Navy Beans, Nodak Beans, Pebble Beans, Peruano Beans, Pigeon Peas, Pink Beans, Pinto Beans, Pole Beans, Rattlesnake Beans, Red Ball Beans, Red Kidney Beans, Red Nightfall Beans, Refugee Beans, Rice Beans (Asian), Rice Beans, Rio Zappe Beans, Romano Beans, Sangre de Toros Beans, Sator Beans, Seluga Beans, Shelling Beans, Soybeans, Tarahumara Canario Beans, Tepary Beans, Tiger's Eye Beans, Tolosana Beans, Toscanelli Beans, Trout Beans, Tweed Wonder Beans, Vallarta Beans, Wax Beans, Wild Goose Beans, Winged Beans, Witkiem Beans, Zolfino Pratomagno Beans

Other entries for Legumes
Lentils, Peas

Related Recipes
Pea & Runner Bean Frittata, Runner Beans in Tomato Sauce
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