Snap Beans
 The
common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) has been an
important component of the human diet for thousands of years. Domesticated
more than 7,000 years ago in both the upland areas of Latin America
 (the
Andean center of domestication) and southern Mexico (the MesoAmerican
center of domestication), beans are thought to have been one of
the earliest food crops cultivated. There are nearly 30 legume (bean)
species used as vegetables, however most of those are important
in countries other than the United States. In this country, the
majority of beans consumed is green, or snap, beans. The snap bean
is used fresh, frozen, and canned, with canned constituting the
largest volume. Palm Beach County was once a major bean producing
area and still boasts over 3,000 acres in production, with a forecast
indicating a continued increase in acreage.
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