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Purple Wax Beans Delivery or Pickup
The Instacart guide to purple wax beans
About purple wax beans
Purple wax beans are a string bean variety similar to the green beans that you're probably already familiar with. As the name suggests, these beans have a rich purple color on the outside of the bean pod. Inside, the beans range from green to coppery red. Purple wax beans are typically between 4 and 6 inches in length. These beans first developed in the Nantes region of France.
Purple wax beans are typically harvested in spring when they're still young. This contributes to their crisp, tender texture and sweet flavor. You can also find some fresh purple wax beans in the summer months. Purple wax beans are a lot like green beans with a slightly lighter, grassier flavor. If you're looking for a fresh, sweet bean pod that's delicious without any preparation, purple wax beans are an easy addition to the menu.
How to pick out purple wax beans
When you're selecting purple wax beans at the store, you want to look for those that are firm and crisp. They should have a satisfying snap when they're broken. If the beans are soft and limp, they're past their prime. This is particularly important if you plan to eat the beans raw.
The skin should be smooth and free from lumps or creases. Look for beans with an even purple hue. Avoid any beans that have dark or mushy spots on them. The best purple wax beans are medium-sized. Those that are noticeably larger than the rest are typically tougher as well. Purple wax beans that get too large are stringier and more difficult to chew. They will also lose some of the tender, fresh flavor. Smaller is usually better when you're buying these beans.
You can leave notes for your Instacart shopper to help them choose the perfect purple wax beans for your needs.
How to use purple wax beans
You can store purple wax beans in the refrigerator for up to 5 days when they're kept in a plastic bag in the crisper drawer. If you'd like your beans to last longer, you can keep them in the freezer for up to 6 months. To prepare fresh purple wax beans for freezing, trim the ends, blanch them for no more than three minutes, plunge them into cold water to cool, drain, and pack them into a freezer container.
For the best flavor, don't snap the ends off your beans until you're ready to cook or eat them. Purple wax beans are delicious when eaten raw and fresh. They require very little preparation and add a bold pop of color to your plate. You can mix purple wax beans with other vegetables in a raw salad. They go well with fresh summer tomatoes, yellow wax beans, and broccoli. A drizzle of olive oil and a few fresh herbs are all you need to add for flavor.
If you prefer to cook your beans, one of the best options is to lightly saute them in a skillet with oil, sprinkle with salt and pepper, and serve. If you cook purple wax beans any longer, they will lose their color and become very similar to regular green beans.
Purple Wax Beans Near Me
Buy your favorite Purple Wax Beans online with Instacart. Order Purple Wax Beans from local and national retailers near you and enjoy on-demand, contactless delivery or pickup within 2 hours.
FAQs about purple wax beans
Yes, purple wax beans are only purple when raw. As you cook them, they will turn green. Purple wax beans get their color from water-soluble pigments known as anthocyanins. If you're growing purple wax beans, you'll find that they appear more reddish when grown in acidic soil and more blue in alkaline soil conditions.
When anthocyanins are exposed to heat or light, they begin to break down. Therefore, if you boil your purple wax beans, the anthocyanins will leach out into the water, leaving it with a blue or purple tinge. The beans are left with only the chlorophyll which gives them a green hue once the purple anthocyanins are gone.
If you want your beans to stay purple, you should eat them raw or cook them as quickly as possible, by tossing them on the grill for a few moments, blanching them briefly, or adding them to a prepared dish at the very end so they just have time to get warm. You can also help retain some of the color in the beans by increasing their acidity with a soak in vinegar or lemon juice. However, this will impact the flavor so you'll want to use this only with dishes that need a tangy twist.
You can easily order the purple wax beans and other produce that you need online through Instacart. Simply use the Instacart webpage or Instacart app and browse the produce selection available at local stores. You can have your order delivered to the door the same day!