The effects of elevation and soaking conditions on dry bean cooking time

Dry beans and other pulses (e.g., chickpeas and cowpeas) are nutrient-dense foods that promote human and environmental health. However, consumption is declining in many regions around the world. Addressing barriers to greater pulse intake is important to reverse this trend. Cooking time is one such barrier, with consumers viewing the long cooking times of many pulses as a hurdle to higher consumption due to lack of time or fuel availability. Equipping consumers with simple, accessible ways to reduce pulse cooking time is one way to mitigate this barrier. Accordingly, this study assessed changes to cooking time when pinto beans (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) were cooked at four elevations using different soaking conditions, which reflect a combination of the soaking method and salt added to the soaking solution. There were seven different cooking conditions: soaking via the overnight or quick soak method in only water or in 1% sodium chloride (NaCl) or sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO3) solutions and a no soak with no salt added comparison. Using an overnight (12-h) soak or a quick soak resulted in similar reductions in cooking time compared to unsoaked beans. Soaking in NaCl and NaHCO3 solutions further decreased cooking time than when only water was used, with the shortest cooking times seen for NaHCO3. Elevation also impacted cooking time, with the longest cooking time being for unsoaked beans at the highest testing elevation. Adding either salt to the soaking water reduced the effect of elevation. This information was synthesized to give consumers practical tips to reduce cooking time.