What are black beans?

by Cookthink

Black turtle beans, (usually just called black beans), are a high-protein, high-fiber legume especially popular in South American and Latin cooking. The beans are cultivated all over South and Central America, and an important part of national dishes such as feijoada from Brazil and Moros y Christianos from Cuba. Like many beans and pulses, black beans have a meaty texture that holds up well in soups, rice dishes and as a filling for burritos and quesadillas. The flavor of black beans is reminiscent of mushrooms and adds earthy notes to a dish. Black beans are usually a bit smaller than other types of cultivated legumes, like lima or kidney beans. As they cook, they develop a deep purple color.