Kombu in beans -- granules or powder OK?
I have been using kombu in my beans for a couple of years and I love it: the beans are more tender and easier to digest, and the pot liquor is richer. I've noticed that there are kelp granules and powder for sale in a lot of health food stores. Two questions:
- Do all varieties of kelp help beans the way that kombu does in particular?
- Can kelp granules or powder be used in place of whole kombu when cooking beans?
Thanks!
Best Answer
I don't know that there are studies on using different kinds of kelp with beans, but I have used both kombu strips and kelp granules interchangeably when cooking beans. The results seem to be the same either way.
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How do I add kombu to beans?
To soften beans. The amino acids in kombu help soften beans and make them more digestible. Add a 4-6\u2033 strip of kombu to a pot of cooking beans. After an hour or two, the kombu will disintegrate when stirred. (Any stray pieces should be tender enough to eat, or you can remove them.)Should I soak beans with kombu?
A little kombu (a form of seaweed) added to the pot with dried beans eliminates the need for soaking.Does kombu change taste of beans?
Kombu is a sea vegetable which contains the enzyme alpha-galactosidase. This enzyme breaks down the oligosaccharides in beans. In my opinion, adding the kombu does not affect the flavor or texture of the beans at all, except for making them easier to digest.Does kombu help digest beans?
Kombu has an almost magical ability to render beans more digestible and less gas-producing. But it isn't magic: Kombu contains enzymes that help break down the raffinose sugars in beans, which are the gas-producing culprits.7 Ways to Make Beans More Digestible (and less gassy).
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