Food - Drink
What's Really In The Liquid From Canned Beans
By ANABELLE DOLINER
As anyone who cooks with them knows, canned beans are a savior for weeknight meals. But have you wondered what the thick, goopy, and oftentimes very-salty liquid they come is and why is it there in the first place?
The liquid found in all canned beans is a mixture of water and salt. The salt acts as a preservative, which gives the beans their notoriously-long shelf life and the thickness of the brine comes from the starch that the beans naturally produce.
But depending on what brand you use, there may be variations in salt levels, consistency, thickness, and flavor. Ultimately, as with all cooking decisions, it's up to you if you choose to use bean liquid in your dishes or discard it.