There has been a discussion about using store bought dried beans as seeds to grow your own. Now, conversely, can packaged bean 'seeds' be used in cooking? I have a three packets of bean seeds that I have decided not to try growing. It occurred to me that buying them in the store takes up less of my very limited veggie garden space than growing them thus leaving me room to grow food I can freeze instead.
Toni, if the beans haven't been treated with anti-fungals or something similar, I don't see why they wouldn't be edible. It should say on the packet if the seeds are treated. Are you making three-bean soup?
I have been told that "growing" beans have a anti fungus, or mold, or something coating on them and should not be eaten. I have seed this pink coating on them. The same goes for "bean soup" beans. They should have this coating on them or they are not supposed to grow well. I have grown them from a "bean soup" package and they did very well. So go figure.......
They are organic seeds so I would guess no treatment. I was thinking about throwing them in a soup next week during the cold snap we will be having.
I would strongly suggest against it. The processing of the seeds is likely to add a mix of bacteria a lot of which could be bad for you. This isn't a problem when it is put in the ground as the natural flora in the soil kills them off. My biggest concern is that you could be exposed to botulism. Which is very nasty.
