Extra-fine green beans: the complete guide
Definition, size, season, origins, choosing, storing and cooking: everything you need to know about extra-fine green beans, by Moorea, the leading importer of green beans in France.
What is an extra-fine green bean?
A green bean is the young pod of the common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris), harvested before the seeds develop. Extra-fine beans (also called "very fine") are picked even earlier: the pod is no more than 6 millimetres wide. That is what makes them so tender and crisp, with no strings.
Extra-fine, fine, medium: the sizes
| Size | Pod width | In the kitchen |
|---|---|---|
| Extra-fine (very fine) | up to 6 mm | the most tender, quick to cook (6 to 10 min) |
| Fine | up to about 9 mm | slightly firmer, cooks a little longer |
| Medium | above | more visible seeds, best for slow-cooked dishes |
Where do our green beans come from?
To have fresh green beans all year round, they must come from countries where they grow in the sun during our winter. Depending on the season, Moorea beans come from Kenya, Morocco, Egypt or Senegal. Kenya, on the equator and farmed at altitude, grows them twelve months a year. The exact origin is shown on every tray. More about our origins.
How to choose them
- A bright, even green colour, with no spots.
- Firm pods that snap cleanly when bent.
- Thin, even pods with no visible seeds.
How to store them
In the fridge, between 4 and 8 °C, in their tray or bag. Only rinse them just before cooking and eat them within a few days of purchase.
Do they need topping?
Moorea green beans sold in trays are already topped. Those sold in bags are not: pinch the little stem between two fingers and it snaps right off.
Cooking times for extra-fine green beans
| Result | Method | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Crisp | large pan of well-salted boiling water | 6 min |
| Tender | same method | 10 min |
| Steamed | steamer basket | 12 min |
Tip: plunge them into iced water as soon as they are cooked to keep them bright green.
Recipe ideas
With garlic and almonds, in a salade niçoise, wrapped in bacon, stir-fried or with salmon: all our green bean recipes.
Checks and traceability
At Moorea, the beans are regularly tested in the laboratory, checked by French state inspectors on arrival, then inspected by our team in Rungis. The batch number printed on every tray lets us trace the grower, the packing date, the shipment and the inspection results.