- Tags:
- FoodHealthy FoodVegetable
- Where:
- United States
- Date change rule:
- Every July
- Holiday emoji:
- 🫘
Beans Month is celebrated every July, dedicating an entire month to this incredibly versatile and nutrient-rich food. From hearty stews to refreshing salads, beans can transform any meal. Explore new recipes, learn about their health benefits, and join in the global appreciation for this staple ingredient.
Want to sponsor Beans Month? Learn how
History of Beans Month
Not much is known about the origins of baked beans, but needless to say, it has become one of the most popular breakfast food of all time. In some of the earliest recipes, baked beans were made in earthen pots with maple syrup, which would sometimes include venison meat and bear fat. However, the closest relative to the baked beans that we eat today is the one that originated in southern France. It used tarbais beans, flageolet, or cannellini beans. The English colonizers brought this recipe to America.
Today in America, baked beans are usually made with a type of haricot bean known as navy beans, which are commonly found in South America. Orthodox Christians started tinning baked beans since cooking was prohibited during the sabbath, and they could simply eat previously cooked beans for Sunday supper. As is with any recipe, baked beans too changed their form and flavor as they moved from one community to the other. People played around with the type of beans and used different fruits and vegetables to make the sauce. The first canned beans came about in the 18th century, when the HJ Heinz Company started canning them for a longer shelf life.
Baked beans arrived in the U.K. as a luxury item, but gradually became a regular feature on the English plate. Beans Month was started by the Michigan Bean Commission to get more and more people to enjoy the delicacy. Thanks to its great taste and many nutritional qualities, people around the world have warmed up to beans in their daily diet.
Beans Month timeline
English colonists bring baked beans to America.
Baked beans arrive in Canada through cookbooks.
HJ Heinz Company starts selling canned beans.
They find a place among breakfast foods worldwide.
Beans Month FAQs
When is Beans Month?
Beans Month 2026 runs throughout July, celebrating this versatile and nutritious legume across the United States. It’s a perfect time to explore new recipes and appreciate beans.
How many types of beans are there?
There are over 400 known varieties of beans cultivated worldwide, with about 130 grown for human consumption. This vast diversity offers an incredible range of flavors, textures, and culinary applications.
How popular are beans in the US?
Beans are a significant part of the American diet, with the average person consuming approximately 7-8 pounds of dry beans annually. Their affordability and nutritional value make them a popular choice for many households.
What are the health benefits of eating beans?
Beans are packed with protein, fiber, and essential minerals like iron, potassium, and magnesium. Regular consumption can help manage blood sugar, lower cholesterol, and support digestive health, making them a powerhouse food.
Beans Month Activities
Eat beans
The obvious way to celebrate Beans Month is by including beans in your meals. Add it to your breakfast, lunch, or dinner, or even snack on it when you are hungry!
Try a new recipe
Switch up your regular baked beans by experimenting with the recipe – try a new kind of bean or sauce and serve it with your favorite bread on the side.
Discover new beans
There are so many types of beans — kidney, garbanzo, pinto beans, and more! Find out more about the beans that are usually eaten in your community.
5 Facts About Beans That Will Blow Your Mind
They bring good luck
Newlywed couples in Nicaragua are given beans for good luck.
There’s a National Bean Day too
It’s celebrated each year on January 6.
They are very versatile
Beans are also used to make jewelry, furniture, beanbag chairs, toys, and musical instruments.
They can grow surprisingly long
The world’s largest bean pods can grow up to five feet long.
They’ve been around for a long time
Beans have been cultivated by humans for 6,000 years.
Why We Love Beans Month
It’s everyone’s favorite
We love Beans Month because it celebrates everyone’s favorite dish — baked beans. Or really, beans in any form!
It reminds us that nutritious food can be tasty
We often tend to think that we need to give up delicious food in order to eat healthily. Beans Month reminds us that you can still have nutritious meals without compromising on taste.
It brings us closer
Since almost every culture consumes beans in some form or the other, Beans Month is a great way to try new recipes and marvel at our shared culinary roots. Go ahead and swap out those recipes.
