I'm cooking pinto beans. Is there a trick to making them less...umm...gas producing?

Question

It seems that I heard something about baking soda, once.

Answer 1

MY GRANDMA ALWAYS SAID THAT SOAKING THE BEANS THE NIGHT BEFORE IN BAKING SODA WATER MADE THE "GAS" DISAPPEAR !!!!

Answer 2

The trick is just to change the water several times. This works for all beans. Three or four changes of water is good. I usually rinse my beans with water. Boil once and let sit overnight. Change the water. Boil again and then rinse thoroughly. Some people do more changes of water.

The enzyme that creates flatulence is realeased into the water in boiling. Beans will always cause some gas and this is normal but you can reduce the gas simply by changing the water and rinsing a lot.

P.S. - This string is starting to sound like an advertisement. You don't have to buy Beano or other commercial health products unless your body creates an unusually high amount of gas.

Answer 3

Yes the use of Baking soda is well known , used for many years,
There are three methods of soaking the beans cuts down the cooking time and helps to retain the vitamins and minerals that would be lost during more prolonged cooking. Only mung beans, split peas and lentils can be cooked without first soaking because they are soft and are low in sugars. Adding 1/8 tsp. of baking soda to soaking water will help to reduce indigestible sugars that cause flatulence.

Answer 4

The local women here in NM say to put a clove of garlic in the beans while you are cooking them will help to penetrate the shell and release the gasses.
Soaking them seems to produce more gas as well, so just simmer them for a few hours or use a pressure cooker and have them done in less time.

Answer 5

I have been told cooking them with baking soda will help but truly the trouble lies in the consumer.

YOU can simply chew better and have less gas effect. Breaking the bean down VERY WELL before it gets to the stomach will help tremendously !!!

Answer 6

I heard this advice from an elderly lady at the YMCA. " When you cook beans you need to add ginger to reduce the amount gas beans tends to cause". She said all you need is to add a small amount (maybe a tea spoon of ground ginger, maybe less) for a serving for 4-6. Give it a try. Another wonderful effect ginger has is that it can reduce the feeling of nausea (car sickness etc.) Hope this helps!

Answer 7

A couple drops of Beano directly into the pinto bean concoction would probably help out with the gas problem. (It can be bought at your local grocery store....Read the directions first though.)

Answer 8

Beano. Also, the longer you soak them in cold water baths before cooking, the less gas-producing properties they will have.

Answer 9

I heard soaking them overnight in water helps cut some of the gas.

Answer 10

I've heard the same about baking soda, but never tryed it. if you do make sure you don't use alot because you don't want to alter the taste