Dried white beans at a glance
Dried white beans in a 5 kg catering bag are a versatile pantry staple for soups, stews, salads and purees. With about 19 g of protein and 19 g of fibre per 100 g, they are nutritious and economical, swelling to roughly two to three times their dry weight once soaked and cooked. The raw beans are sourced from Canada and packed in Switzerland.
What are dried white beans?
White beans are dried seeds of Phaseolus vulgaris, mild and creamy when cooked, with a thin skin and a soft, floury interior. They absorb the flavours of the dish, which makes them a classic base for Italian and Mediterranean cooking, from minestrone and pasta e fagioli to Tuscan-style beans with oil and sage. Dried beans give a firmer, more flavourful result than canned and cost far less per portion at volume.
Soaking and cooking
Soak the beans in plenty of cold water for at least 8 to 12 hours, then drain and rinse. Cook in fresh unsalted water at a gentle simmer for about 60 to 90 minutes until tender, adding salt only near the end so the skins stay intact. One kilo of dried beans yields several kilos cooked, making the 5 kg bag a cost-effective base for high-volume kitchens.
Professional uses
Use the cooked beans in minestrone, pasta e fagioli, ribollita and bean soups, in warm or cold salads with tuna and onion, as a side with oil and herbs, or blended into purees and dips. They also work as a filling, protein-rich component in vegetarian dishes. Batch-cook and refrigerate or freeze portions to speed up service.
Storage and note
Store the dried beans in a cool, dry place away from light and humidity; unopened they keep for a long time. After opening, transfer to an airtight container. As a natural agricultural product the beans may occasionally contain small stones despite careful cleaning, so rinse and check them before soaking.
Who it is for and LAPA delivery
The 5 kg bag suits trattorie, canteens, caterers and kitchens that cook legumes from scratch at volume. LAPA delivers dried white beans across Switzerland six days a week with no minimum order; from Zurich and Lugano to Bern, Basel and Geneva orders arrive the next day, with partner carriers such as Swiss Post and Planzer serving areas outside the LAPA fleet routes.
