Don't soak your dried beans • Hacker News Board

Re: Don't soak your dried beans

#61

Post by thrill » Sat, Jan 10, 2015, 2:29 AM UTC

briantakita wrote: post #12

tdicola wrote: post #8

I am genuinely curious, why is this post on Hackernews' front page? Yes I know this type of comment is typically frowned upon (and will happily accept the downvotes), but seriously--a story about cooking beans with some vague science and anecdotes?

It's ironic that something named "Hacker News" focuses so much on rationalism & observable "proofs". This article seems to be in the spirit of a Hacker. Vague science & anecdotes on something that seems to work is a pathway to discoveries & innovations.

There's a difference between hacking and hand waving. One of them generally has some empirical evidence to present afterwards.

Re: Don't soak your dried beans

#62

Post by code_duck » Sat, Jan 10, 2015, 3:38 AM UTC

munificent wrote: post #16

code_duck wrote: post #3

I've cooked beans almost every day for years and my experiences are not at all in line with what the amateur in this article thinks he has discovered.

Why do you describe the author as an amateur? He's been writing about cooking for 30 years and has several published cookbooks. What does qualifications would he need to be a "professional" bean cooker?

Good question. I thought I saw the author say he was new to cooking beans. I don't see that in there now, and in my defense... I have a 102 degree fever today.

Re: Don't soak your dried beans

#63

Post by code_duck » Sat, Jan 10, 2015, 3:40 AM UTC

code_duck wrote: post #14

bronson wrote: post #7

Earlier quoted context omitted.

From your snide wording and claimed expertise, I take it you're a professional bean cooker? Was your post just a teaser?

Well, I'm often skeptical of articles that claim "everything you know about x subject is wrong". As I said, I've cooked beans just about every day for years. Yes, I could easily be a professional bean cooker. The journalist stated that he has very little experience actually doing this himself and based his conclusions on a few ad hoc tests. The journalist is neither experienced nor an expert.

But on further reading, I guess I misunderstood and he is experienced at raw bean preparation. Oh well, I was a bit out of it this morning. Sorry to The Bean Lord.

Re: Don't soak your dried beans

#64

Post by zachberger » Tue, Jan 13, 2015, 12:30 AM UTC

code_duck wrote: post #6

zachberger wrote: post #5

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Can you elaborate? How do you cook your beans?

Sorry I didn't include more details. I change the water often, and sometimes use the boil and soak method. Sometimes I change the water after they've started to cook, especially if there is a lot of foam. All of my experiences indicate this decreases flatulence. It is true that long soaking periods can decrease flavor and produce a non-optimal texture. I find that canned beans and beans from certain restaurants do pr…

Thanks! I will definitely try your ideas. I have to agree that changing the water decreases flatulence... I love the beans hate the flatulence

Re: Don't soak your dried beans

#65

Post by bronson » Sat, Jan 17, 2015, 6:47 AM UTC

code_duck wrote: post #63

code_duck wrote: post #14

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Well, I'm often skeptical of articles that claim "everything you know about x subject is wrong". As I said, I've cooked beans just about every day for years. Yes, I could easily be a professional bean cooker. The journalist stated that he has very little experience actually doing this himself and based his conclusions on a few ad hoc tests. The journalist is neither experienced nor an expert.

But on further reading, I guess I misunderstood and he is experienced at raw bean preparation. Oh well, I was a bit out of it this morning. Sorry to The Bean Lord.

You're the only person here claiming to be a Bean Lord.