Beans And Legumes

You've heard it before, "If it looks like a duck, swims like a duck, and quacks like a duck, then it probably is a duck." But, can we say the same for beans and legumes? If you think beans and legumes are one and the same, you are right (technically, with a few exceptions).

Beans are seeds that come from a flowering plant while legumes are plants that produce seeds inside a pod. Confused yet? Don't be.

If we go back to our analogy of the duck, legumes are the "birds" while beans are the "ducks". On that note, it can be said that beans are actually legumes. And, that's where the analogy ends.

On the other hand, legumes can't always be referred to as beans. As an example, although green beans are called as such - "beans". Green beans are actually legumes because the fruit of the green bean plant is found inside a pod.

If you think naming a bean or legume should be left to experts in the field, we totally get it. Besides, beans and legumes have a far more important role in our everyday diet as excellent sources of plant protein, fiber, and nutrients such as iron and zinc.