5 Simple Ways to Enjoy Beans Without the Discomfort

5 Simple Ways to Enjoy Beans Without the Discomfort

Beans, one of the oldest foods known, is a meal that holds a special place in an African home. A versatile grain that can be used to make several meal, from Moi Moi and Akara to Ewa Agoyin or even a simple pot of bean stew, 

Beans are packed with health benefits and nutrients and remain a good source of strength. Yet, despite all these benefits, many people rarely consume it as much as they consume rice. 

Why? Two answers: discomfort and long cooking time.

It's either bloating or indigestion. Beans has a reputation that precedes it. But on the bright side, beans contain all the right nutrients our bodies need: carbohydrates, protein, fiber, and iron. That's why several foodies believe beans deserve a second chance.

So let’s talk about why people avoid beans and how you can enjoy them without the known side effects associated with them.


3 Reasons Why Many People Avoid Eating Beans

  1. Bloating and gas: Beans contain natural sugars that sometimes cause discomfort.
  2. Cooking time: For busy families, soaking and boiling beans feels like too much work because it takes too much time.
  3. Taste myths: Some believe beans are boring or just “poor man’s food” and decide to ignore their versatility.

But the honest truth is that Aso Rock Market Beans really don’t have to cause discomfort, and they certainly don’t have to be boring.

The Remedies

  1. Soak before cooking: Let your beans sit in water overnight. With this, you have successfully reduced the sugars that cause gas and ultimately lead to bloating.
  2. Rinse well: Rinse your beans properly and drain before cooking, especially if you’re using a bag of beans bought fresh from the store.
  3. Cook with spices: Why so many call bena boring is because they don't cook it with spices like other foods. Ginger, garlic, cumin, or bay leaves not only add flavor but also help with digestion. In many African kitchens, palm oil is very important. It’s part of the tradition. Check out our blog on Why Palm Oil Is Essential in Every African Kitchen to learn why.
  4. Start small: If you’re not used to beans, eat them in smaller portions and let your stomach adjust. If you’re cooking for little ones, our guide on Kid-Friendly African Recipes: Safe Spices for Babies and Easy Dinners is a great place to start.
  5. Try different varieties: Aside from the fact that you can use beans to make several meals. There are also different types of beans. Honey beans (ewa oloyin) are naturally sweeter and often gentler on the stomach.

At Aso Rock Market, we have different types of beans and seasonings that make it easy to cook flavorful, digestible bean meals.

Beans in African Cuisine

In African kitchens, beans are a must-have grain because they can be used to make several happy meals. Akara for Saturday morning, Ewa Agoyin with soft agege bread, and gbegiri to add color and richness to amala and ewedu—these are a few use cases of beans that make them a very important grain. 

These recipes are also a way our mothers and grandmothers used to avoid the discomfort and long cooking times that come with beans. 

Just as our blog on How To Soften Stockfish for Egusi and Other Soups walks you through prepping tough ingredients, soaking and rinsing your beans can make them softer and easier to digest.

Fun Fact: Beans Beyond the Kitchen

You might have seen people online asking, “What does the can of beans do in Grow a Garden?” or searching for tips on planting beans at home. This is because beans are more than food—they’re seeds of life. 

If you’re either planning to open a can of beans to make a quick meal or to plant a few in the soil to grow a garden, beans stand for growth, health, and nourishment.

So if you’ve been skipping beans because of bloating or indigestion, with the right preparation, you can turn that meal into something very flavorful and, at the same time, easy on your stomach. 

At Aso Rock Market, we make it simple to bring beans back into your meals. From a fresh bag of beans to ready-to-use seasonings, everything you need to cook delicious, gut-friendly beans is just a click away.

So go ahead—give beans another try. Your body (and your taste buds) will thank you.

 

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