Kidney beans are also high in heart-healthy folate, potassium and magnesium. But while kidney beans offer a host of health benefits, it’s important to never eat them raw—red kidney beans in particular. They contain hemagglutinin, a dangerous compound that causes clumping amongst red blood cells.
No, eating raw kidney beans will not kill you, but eating them raw can make you sick for hours. If the beans are not cooked to break down the toxin, it makes cause blood cells to clump together, leading to a blood clot, which can cause thrombosis or stroke, among many others, if taken in high doses.
Raw kidney beans taste bitter and contain natural toxins. The toxin in red kidney beans, called Phytohaemagglutinin, or kidney bean lectin, is a naturally occurring protein that may protect the plant from harm. Kidney bean lectin is measured in toxin units called hemagglutinating units, or hau for short.
While many foods are perfectly fine to eat right off the vine or out of the ground, red kidney beans are not one of them. Though many raw beans contain the toxin Phytohaemagglutinin, also called kidney bean lectin, kidney beans contain the highest toxin levels.
How long does it take for kidney beans to germinate?
The seeds should germinate within 10 to 14 days. Choose a large pot. While container gardens do not provide the most beneficial set of conditions for kidney beans, these plants can grow inside of containers when taken care of properly. For each kidney bean plant, you will need a pot with a diameter of 12 inches (30.5 cm).
What zone do kidney beans grow in?
Kidney beans do best in USDA growing zones 4 and warmer with temps between 65-80 F. (18-26 C.) for most of their growing season. They don’t do well transplanted, so it’s best to direct sow them in the spring after the last frost date for your area. Don’t plant them too early or the seeds will rot.
When growing kidney beans, space the seed 4 inches (10 cm.) apart for vining beans and 8 inches (20.5 cm.) apart for bush varieties, one inch to 1 ½ inch (2.5 to 4 cm.) below the soil surface. The growing kidney bean seedlings should emerge between 10-14 days from planting.