Kidney Beans

The kidney bean is a variety of the common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris), so called because it looks like a human kidney. Cannellini beans are also known as white kidney beans. Red kidney beans are commonly used in chili in the US and in India they are known as rajma. In southern Louisiana they are used in the Creole dish of red beans and rice. Red kidney beans are higher in phytohemagglutinin than most other bean varieties. This compound is toxic and the beans must be pre-soaked and boiled for at least 10 minutes.