What Are Navy Beans?

"Navy" beans

• These common white beans became known as "navy beans," because they were often included as provisions on U.S. sailing vessels. Dried beans, when stored properly, resist spoilage, and are easy to rehydrate, making them ideal for use on sailing ships.
  
  

Nutrition

• The navy, or common bean is high in protein, soluble fiber, trace minerals, and folic acid and is free of sodium, fat, and cholesterol. When combined with rice or other grains, they remain a widespread substitute for meat or animal protein.
  
  

Common uses

• Many of the staple bean dishes in the U.S. contain navy beans. Bean soups, baked beans, and chili, whether canned or homemade, are familiar parts of our diets.
  
  

Origins

• The common bean had been domesticated in Central and South America for thousands of years and was introduced to Europe by Spanish traders in the 15th century.
  
  

"Three Sisters"

• The navy bean, along with maize (corn) and squash, made up the common Native American companion planting strategy, known as the "Three Sisters." Beans act as a fertilizer by adding nitrogen to soil, the corn stalks function as poles to support the beans and the squash acts as a living mulch to control weeds.