Poisonous food beans?!

Hi.

I was looking through the plantfiles and found these:

http://davesgarden.com/guides/pf/go/681/

Scarlet Runner Beans. They look fun to grow (and pretty), but they say the seeds are poisonous?

And then in the comments, I see people talking about eating them.

Now I'm confused.

-Sev

Runner beans are edible, but do have some side effects that some folks don't care for. (dried beans) You will frequently see debates on this subject. I don't know that they have killed anyone who was in good health. Other types of beans like hyacinthe beans and some other Asian beans are considered poisonous, but are eaten in Asian cultures. Sort of like the American Poke salet, you do need to have some knowledge of appropriate preparation.

Looks like someone made a boo boo, Sev. The beans/seeds are delish.

If you like you can click on the link "report an error" at the top of the PF page and the administrator's will change it, or give you a reason why it needs to be left as is.

Shoe

We were posting at the same time, F-dill. Good points.

And don't forget how some folks of Asian and Mediterranean descent are adversely affected by Fava beans. Guess some folks just don't get to enjoy the goodies that others do without having certain side effects, eh?

Shoe

they are? I need to take note of that - hubby's Chinese. What does it do to them? And what side effects do you mean, Farmerdill?
The cause for products like Bean-O? That's not poisonous...Well, the beans aren't, anyway...

-Sev

Wikipedia.

Flatulence also appears to be a major problem. A fellow from Sweden in making his point on P. coccineus stressed that he knew someway who had an intestional blowout. But severe flatulence is possible. Again from the Wikipedia

In most cases we just need to use a little common sense. Folks eat runner beans at all stages. some folks like like them some don't. For me they are purely an ornamental.

Horseshoe wrote;"Looks like someone made a boo boo, Sev. The beans/seeds are delish."

Shoe, the Scarlet Runners are in my spring "pile". I was planning on using them for "green" beans (among others), and I don't cook those much, in fact I seem to eat most beans in the garden :) Will this be a no-no for the Scarlets?

I've never gotten sick from eating them raw, Catmad, and know of others who eat them raw who have no negative effects. However, I suggest picking them while young because as they get bigger the pods get a bit "hairy"; at that stage you might want to cut and cook them just because of that.

Or, if you get too many then you can always shell them and eat like fresh limas (better cooked though).

I'd grow them if I were you. Not only are the beans delish but you can also eat the flowers. Another plus is they also attract hummingbirds, too!

Shoe

Shoe wrote;"Another plus is they also attract hummingbirds, too!"

Well, that clinches it:)) If the Hummers like them, they shall have them. It also means i'll plant some around the porch, for looks and (hummingbird) function!

Thanks, as always

Margo

Looking forward to your report in the Spring! (With pics!?)

Shoe