MAKE THIS WINTER BETTER WITH BEANS
As the Canadian winter closes in around us and the holidays approach, our thoughts turn to comfort foods and home baking. Looking to bump up the nutrition of your favourite dishes? Simply adding beans can double the protein and fibre content of a meal—yes, even your sweet treats.
Did you know that we grow dry beans right here in Ontario? Of the 28,000 grain growers in Ontario, just over 1,000 of them also grow dry beans. Dry beans include tasty varieties like navy beans, kidney beans, and Romano beans, all favourites for homemade chilis or autumn soups, and an excellent secret ingredient for baked goods. Our Apple Bean Cake with Warm Cranberry Sauce is made with navy beans and makes a beautiful, tasty, and protein-packed addition to your holiday dessert menu.
SHOPPING FOR LOCAL BEANS
Any meal is better with beans!
It is much more difficult to determine what province the beans you are purchasing come from, but we can give you some insider information to help narrow it down.
ONTARIO DRY BEANS ARE WORLD FAMOUS! Coveted for their exceptional quality, 90 per cent of the Ontario dry bean crop is exported to over forty countries around the world. You can find Ontario beans right here at home too—if you know what to look for.
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Many brands are starting to feature “Product of Canada” or “Grown in Canada” in prominent positions on their product labels. You can also check the fine print on products to see if “made with domestic ingredients” is listed. If the product you are purchasing includes any of this information the beans within are coming from either Ontario, Manitoba, or Alberta.
WHAT BEANS GROW WHERE IN CANADA? • White Pea beans (Navy Beans)–Ontario, Manitoba • Black beans–Ontario, Manitoba, Alberta • Kidney beans–Ontario, Manitoba
• Cranberry beans (Romano Beans)– Ontario, Manitoba • Pinto–Alberta, Manitoba, and a very small amount in Ontario • Great Northern beans–Alberta • Adzuki Beans–Ontario For example, if you pick up a can of Romano beans, kidney beans or navy beans, that say product of Canada or made with domestic ingredients—those beans are from either Ontario or Manitoba. Need some guidance on how to make your meals better with beans? Visit betterwithbeans.ca for lots of great recipes, how to videos, and so much more. @ontariobeans
betterwithbeans.on.ca
