Bean is a common name for large plant seeds of several genera of Fabaceae (formerly Leguminosae) used for food or feed. They are also known as legumes.

History
Bean

Vicia

• Faba or broad bean
  
  
  

  
  

  
  

  Types of beans
  The following traditional uses of beans refer to the broad bean.
  
  In some folk legends, such as in Estonia and the common Jack and the Beanstalk story, magical beans grow tall enough to bring the hero to the clouds. The Grimm Brothers collected a story in which a bean splits its sides laughing at the failure of others.
  Dreaming of a bean is sometimes said to be a sign of impending conflict, though others said they caused bad dreams.
  

  
  

  
  

  
  

  Cultural aspects
  Some raw beans, for example kidney beans, contain harmful toxins (lectins) which need to be removed, usually by various methods of soaking and cooking. The soaking water from kidney beans should be discarded before boiling, and some authorities recommend changing the water during cooking as well. (though this should not be a problem if the food reaches boiling and stays there for some time).
  
  Flatulence
  
  Common bean
  Pulses
  List of edible seeds
  Baked beans
  Fassoulada