We are independent & ad-supported. We may earn a commission for purchases made through our links.
Advertiser Disclosure
Our website is an independent, advertising-supported platform. We provide our content free of charge to our readers, and to keep it that way, we rely on revenue generated through advertisements and affiliate partnerships. This means that when you click on certain links on our site and make a purchase, we may earn a commission. Learn more.
How We Make Money
We sustain our operations through affiliate commissions and advertising. If you click on an affiliate link and make a purchase, we may receive a commission from the merchant at no additional cost to you. We also display advertisements on our website, which help generate revenue to support our work and keep our content free for readers. Our editorial team operates independently of our advertising and affiliate partnerships to ensure that our content remains unbiased and focused on providing you with the best information and recommendations based on thorough research and honest evaluations. To remain transparent, we’ve provided a list of our current affiliate partners here.
Food

Our Promise to you

Founded in 2002, our company has been a trusted resource for readers seeking informative and engaging content. Our dedication to quality remains unwavering—and will never change. We follow a strict editorial policy, ensuring that our content is authored by highly qualified professionals and edited by subject matter experts. This guarantees that everything we publish is objective, accurate, and trustworthy.

Over the years, we've refined our approach to cover a wide range of topics, providing readers with reliable and practical advice to enhance their knowledge and skills. That's why millions of readers turn to us each year. Join us in celebrating the joy of learning, guided by standards you can trust.

What are Anasazi Beans?

Mary McMahon
By
Updated: May 16, 2024
Views: 82,350
Share

Anasazi beans are small, kidney-shaped, purple and white beans in the same family as pinto beans. They are used in Latin American and Southwestern cuisines, and have a mild, sweet flavor that pairs with a mealy texture. The beans cook much more quickly than regular beans, and they appear to have been a part of the human diet in the Americas for thousands of years. They are also marketed as New Mexico cave beans, Aztec beans, New Mexico appaloosas, and Jacob's Cattle beans.

The story of Anasazi beans varies, depending on who is telling it. In popular mythology, the beans were uncovered by an anthropologist, who discovered a 1,500 year old tightly sealed jar of them at a dig in New Mexico. Some of the beans germinated, and the new variety of bean entered cultivation again. Since most botanists agree that most beans are unable to germinate after approximately 50 years, it is more probable that the beans remained in constant cultivation in the Southwest, probably in Native American gardens, and that they were picked up by companies looking for new “boutique beans.”

Beans have played an important historic role in Native American cuisine because they are an important source of protein and other nutrients. They also enrich the soil they are grown in, and they are commonly grown in tandem with crops such as corn. Under extensive cultivation, beans and corn are literally grown side by side, with the beans using the corn as a trellis to grow on. After being harvested, the beans are dried for use throughout the year.

When selecting Anasazi beans to eat, cooks should look for plump, glossy specimens without signs of withering or disease. They should store them in a cool dry place until they are ready for use. The beans should be washed before being soaked for approximately eight hours or overnight. After soaking, the beans can be cooked in an assortment of recipes including soup, chili, and burritos. Their slightly sweet flavor makes them excellent for spicy Latin American food.

In any recipe which calls for pinto beans, Anasazi beans can be used as a replacement. They can also be used as refried beans, or combined with other beans for rich bean soups and stews. Like all legumes, they should be thoroughly cooked to prevent gastrointestinal distress and the sometimes socially unacceptable symptoms that accompany it.

Share
DelightedCooking is dedicated to providing accurate and trustworthy information. We carefully select reputable sources and employ a rigorous fact-checking process to maintain the highest standards. To learn more about our commitment to accuracy, read our editorial process.
Mary McMahon
By Mary McMahon

Ever since she began contributing to the site several years ago, Mary has embraced the exciting challenge of being a DelightedCooking researcher and writer. Mary has a liberal arts degree from Goddard College and spends her free time reading, cooking, and exploring the great outdoors.

Discussion Comments
By anon997568 — On Jan 26, 2017

The Anasazi Beans I grow are about 3/4 inch long. The brown speckled beans produce fragrant red flowers, and the white beans have fragrant white flowers; both draw hummingbirds.

By anon997567 — On Jan 26, 2017

The beans are climbers - 10-15', have fragrant red or white flowers that last all summer long and attract hummingbirds.

By anon342243 — On Jul 18, 2013

I live in Colorado Springs, Colorado and the closest Wal-Mart carries these beans. They are now my favorite bean as they cook in about half the time of pintos.

By candyquilt — On Jan 22, 2013

@anon287273-- You can get them online! There are several brands online that offer dried Anasazi beans. That's where I get mine.

I suggest making baked beans with it and serve it alongside pork. It's fantastic.

By fBoyle — On Jan 21, 2013

@anon287273-- You can try organic stores.

Unfortunately, Anasazi beans are not found easily in all states. They're more common in New Mexico and Colorado. I live in New Mexico and my neighbor grows them so I can get some anytime I want. I'm very lucky.

If you do find them though, I think you will love them. I prefer these over Pinto beans because they have less carbohydrates. I have a sensitive digestive system and I've noticed that Anasazi doesn't irritate my system as much as other beans. All beans are notorious for causing flatulence. But Anasazi is not that bad, I think it's much better than other beans.

By serenesurface — On Jan 20, 2013

@anon24182-- That's so cool! So it is true!

Do you know how old the beans were estimated to be when they were found? It's not 1500 years right?

I'm so glad that student planted those dry Anasazi beans. Otherwise, I would have never tasted them. This is my favorite bean and I love making stews with it.

By anon287273 — On Aug 24, 2012

Where can one buy anasazi beans? To cook, not to plant.

By anon265721 — On May 02, 2012

Are the beans bush or climbing?

By anon147099 — On Jan 28, 2011

Yes, the beans will be good. They start out red and white, but as they cook, they become completely dark red/brown and are huge and delicious! I'm guessing you bought them at a farm store in central Colorado? I did, too, without knowing what they were or how they'd taste, but five years later, I finally drummed up the determination to find out and I was glad I did. I wish they were more plentiful. Enjoy.

By anon117356 — On Oct 10, 2010

We bought anasazi beans in colorado and we still have a bag in our cool pantry downstairs. Are they still edible after ten years? Would appreciate hearing from someone. Thanks a lot. --Fred

By anon53593 — On Nov 23, 2009

What is the royalty fee for selling Anasazi beans?

By anon35555 — On Jul 06, 2009

At what point during the growing season do you harvest the anasazi bean?

By anon24182 — On Jan 08, 2009

With respect to the origin of the beans, they were discovered in a sealed jar at Mesa Verde, Colorado. They were turned over to Colorado State University Department of Agronomy for study and safe keeping. Many years after receiving them, an Agronomy graduate student found the jar with the few beans in an old cabinet, and took half of them and planted them. When the major professor discovered the jar out of the cabinet and half the beans gone, he became more than concerned, but the beans were already planted in the hothouse. By a miracle, part of the planted beans sprouted and grew plants which did set seed. That seed was harvested and replanted, each time increasing the seed on hand until there was enough to plant a field.

I am an a KSU agronomist, and this was told to me by associates in the agronomy department at CSU.

Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon

Ever since she began contributing to the site several years ago, Mary has embraced the exciting challenge of being a...

Learn more
Share
https://www.delightedcooking.com/what-are-anasazi-beans.htm
Copy this link
DelightedCooking, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.

DelightedCooking, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.