Mechanistic insight into softening of Canadian wonder common beans (Phaseolus vulgaris) during cooking.

The relative contributions of cotyledons and seed coats towards hardening of common beans (Phaseolus vulgaris) were investigated and the rate-limiting process which controls bean softening during cooking was determined. Fresh or aged whole beans and cotyledons were soaked and cooked in demineralised water or 0.1 M NaHCO solution, and texture evolution, microstructure changes and thermal properties were studied.