Greek white kidney beans elephant and giant

The Greek white kidney beans, elephant and giant of Prespa - Florina (Greece), are a traditional Greek food, used in several Greek gourmet recipes, such as bean soup, baked beans in the oven (butter beans), Greek salad, etc. Undoubtedly they are a healthy, natural food and favorably place themselves in a Mediterranean diet.

They come from the same variety of excellent quality Greek beans. Their differentiation into the above two categories takes place on account of seed size:

• elephant (40-45 beans/100g) and
• giant (45-55 beans/100g)

The Greek elephant and giant white kidney beans stand out for their huge seed size, the kidney-like shape and the snow-white color. They originate from the area of lakes Prespa of the Florina prefecture (Macedonia, Northern Greece) and they have become local tradition since many generations. Their quality is attributed to the combination of the microclimate and the soil composition of the specific cultivation area, which consists of the continuous rural areas of the municipalities of Mikrolimni, Karies, Lefkona, Platea, Lemos, Agios Germanos, Agios Achilios, Vronderou and Kalithea.

Some might confuse the Greek elephant and giant beans with Lima Beans, but the latter do not have either the characteristic kidney shape or the great taste of the former beans of Florina.

In 1994 Greece acknowledged the elephant and giant beans of Florina as of Protected Designation of Origin (PDO). The relevant European Union committee acknowledged them as of Protected Geographic Indication (PGI).

But apart from their undoubted taste, those beans are especially nutritious, providing the required energy, proteins and fiber, without burdening the human organism with fat and cholesterol.

The energy content of Florina Beans is approx. 308kcal (1293 kJ) per 100g. The respective protein content is 16% and fiber is 11%. The percentage of carbohydrates 59% and fat is only a marginal 1%. Moreover those beans are rich in minerals and trace elements. Thus they can be easily incorporated in a low fat, low cholesterol diet, and can certainly be regarded as a health food. After all beans are a basic element in the food guide pyramid.

The elephant and giant white kidney beans of Florina are usually offered in big packaging, intended for wholesalers and the catering sector.

Of course other packaging can also be arranged depending on the requirements of the customer. Moreover, the following consumer packaging is also available:

Antonio foods is a natural food processor and exporter, who selects the best Florina beans directly from the farmers and offers them B2B (Business to Business) to food brokers, distributors, wholesalers, importers and super market chains throughout the world.

In the factory of the company the beans are specially treated (i.e. cleaned, screened, etc.) for the removal of any foreign matter, thus achieving a cleanliness level of more than 99.9%. Moreover, by means of natural drying the required low moisture content is achieved, which ensures product preservation for a long period of time. In case prolonged storage is anticipated, the product is fumigated according to international standards. Thus any possibility of product infestation by insects is avoided.

The initial careful selection of the best available kidney beans, as well as their detailed treatment result in offering a fine traditional Greek food to the customer, which apart from tasty is also especially nutritious.

The white kidney beans of Antonio foods comply with the strictest international regulations with respect to food safety (e.g. USFDA, German food legislation, etc.)

With respect to ways of cooking recipes for those beans there are many suggestions. The most typical and traditional Greek recipe is baked (roasted) in the oven with tomato, onion, parsley, several spices and aromatic plants and other ingredients chosen by the cook, who likes to experiment. Of course they can also be boiled and used in the plain tomato-cucumber salad or in the famous Greek shepherd's salad (tomato, cucumber, feta cheese, olives, green pepper, oregano, olive oil, etc.), just to give a touch of originality.

Concerning other ways of cooking those beans, imagination is the only limit!