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Dried Black Beans

Canned beans may be convenient, but their flavor and texture never measure up to dried.

Published Mar. 1, 2011

What You Need To Know

We tested three brands of dried black beans, including one mail-order heirloom variety, by sampling them plain (cooked with onions, salt, and a bay leaf) and in our recipe for Cuban Black Beans and Rice. We were surprised to find that the heirloom beans became blown out and mushy, while the pair of national supermarket-brand beans emerged from the pot perfectly intact and creamy. Gr...