Is there any way to counteract the calcium chloride included in most canned beans?

All the beans I can find in the local supermarkets have calcium chloride in them, which helps them retain their firmness.

But I want soft beans.

Yes, I can cook my own beans from dry, but sometimes I just want fast access to beans. Beans that will be soft and break down in soups or stews.

But beans treated with calcium chloride just sit there, even tasting a bit undercooked in the center. Is there some way to counteract the calcium chloride so that they will break down and get soft?

beans

Best Answer

Calcium in Calcium Chloride indeed firms the beans by fortifying the pectin. On the other hand, alkali conditions will greatly accelerate the breakdown of pectin during cooking.

You can simply use baking soda to soften the beans while cooking.

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Quick Answer about "Is there any way to counteract the calcium chloride included in most canned beans?"

Calcium in Calcium Chloride indeed firms the beans by fortifying the pectin. On the other hand, alkali conditions will greatly accelerate the breakdown of pectin during cooking. You can simply use baking soda to soften the beans while cooking.

Is there a way to Degas canned beans?

To cut down on the gassy properties, you can add a little baking soda to your recipe. The baking soda helps break down some of the beans' natural gas-making sugars.

How do you make canned beans more digestible?

Cooking With Canned Beans - When you use beans from a can or jar, make very sure that the beans are thoroughly cooked, soft and not crunchy. Drain and rinse the beans before adding them to whatever dish you are making. This makes them easier to digest.

Is calcium chloride safe in canned beans?

According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, ingesting calcium chloride in the quantities found in food is safe. Disodium EDTA is another additive commonly found in the canned variety. It is used to as a preservative and to promote color retention.

Why is calcium chloride in canned beans?

The reason all types of canned beans have a nice bean shape is that they contain calcium chloride, a firming agent. Calcium chloride helps the beans keep their shape during the cooking and canning process, but it is not a typical ingredient in the home cook's pantry.

Best Bean Soup Recipe ...easy and delicious

Sources: Stack Exchange - This article follows the attribution requirements of Stack Exchange and is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0.

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