No doubt beans is one of the most consumed food in Nigeria and we’ve heard a lot of information when it comes to this food.

    Growing up, my siblings and I always thought the source of our height came from beans and not our father strong genes , well you can’t blame us because everyone said so when we were younger and it didn’t help matters that we ate beans quite a lot in my family (thrice a week then, lol, I don suffer in the hand of beans) .

Have you noticed that some eat beans more than any other meal and they are still as short as ever? lol, there must be at least one person you know in this category.

No height shaming here, please😌

That’s because we’ve grown with a lot of misconceptions about this sweet delicacy. I’ll shed some light on some secrets about this seed-like delicacy.

Now let’s start with some “truths” about beans.

1. If you eat beans you’ll fart like there’s no tomorrow (This is Nigerian exaggeration):

This is common in Nigeria, the moment you’re found eating beans, you’re the number one suspect if there’s a bad smell. A lot of people have suffered from this myth (myself included😂).

The truth is beans are packed with fibers and sugar called raffinose and Oligosaccharides, that our bodies have a hard time digesting especially when you’re not used to them. If you’re found among the set that farts a lot after eating beans. I’d give you some tips to avoid that. 

• At all cost, avoid spoiled and sour beans

• Soak your beans well and rinse well(You can also parboil)

• Slowly cook your beans and let it cook till it’s very soft

• Do not add salt immediately when cooking beans

• Eat your beans with other staple foods.

2. Beans makes you grow taller:

While it is true that beans contains high protein, it infact doesn’t make one grow taller . Height is majorly on genetic factors, though environment and nutrition also plays great role. Hope this gives you more light to why that you’re friend that likes eating beans is still short.

Do you know there different types of beans in Nigeria?

     We have the;

1. Honey beans famously called (Ewa Oloyin):

This has the most unique and slightly sweet flavor. It’s easier to cook and it adds tons of flavor to your meal . They come from Maiduguri and Niger. (This is my most preferred beans, I always liked growing them at our backyard as a child). I always felt like a proud momma when the beans germinate. It was therapeutic.

2. Nigerian brown beans famously known as (Ewa Olotu):

Although identical to the honey beans, these are darker and they take a lot more time to cook. 

For people who shy away from the extra sweet flavor of the Oloyin beans, the Olotu is a good alternative.

3. White beans also known as black eyed peas and Iron beans.

Now, we have different ways to cook beans, which are all famous in Nigeria

These are;

1. Beans porridge :

       This is also known as palm oil beans or stewed beans. It is a sweet recipe. Can be eaten with bread, plantain, corn starch porridge (known as Pap or Ogi), cassava flakes (also known as Garri), yam, the list goes on and on. You can use either the Oloyin or Olotu beans for this recipe

2. Ewa- Agoyin

This is just cooked beans and pepper sauce. This is one of Nigerians all time fave. It can be enjoyed with bread, plantain and yam. The pepper sauce can contain your choice of proteins e.g Pomo, meat, fish, boiled egg etc. The Oloyin beans is the most preferred for Ewa agoyin.

3. Beans pudding also known as (Moin-Moin or Moi-Moi)

This is a Yoruba steamed recipe gotten from the mixture of washed and peeled black eyed beans/Olotu/Oloyin beans, onions and fresh ground pepper. (I prefer my pap and moimoi on a Saturday morning with a cold weather in the mix, you feel me?)

4.) Beans cake/buns also known as akara: 

  This is a deep fried puréed beans. It is made from blended peeled beans with onions and some salt and pepper. It can be eaten with corned starch (Pap with enough milk), cassava flakes, bread (soft and warm for extra feeling 🥺)

You might probably think I must love beans. Yes, you’re right. I love beans and I can hardly wait for Saturday’s moi moi and pap😋.

I’m sorry if you ever thought beans was going to make you grow taller. It was a harsh lie. It’s alright, RIP to those lies😔.

Like you now know, the truth about beans is that it doesn’t make you grow taller.

I hope you got something from this, at least you smiled, right?😊

Don’t forget to drop a like or share your thoughts in the comment section.

Love and light.

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Edited by: Oluwanifemi