posted 3 months ago
Dried beans that are stored for a long time (maybe a year or more) can have trouble softening when boiled the normal way. Adding a little bit of baking soda absolutely solves the problem and makes them soften right up.
If you've boiled some beans the normal way and amount of time but they're not softening, add a little baking soda. If it foams up vigorously, add a little more. Stir it in, then boil again. The beans will now soften in a few minutes. If the beans are several years old you might need to add quite a bit of baking soda. I usually keep adding small amounts, watch it foam up, and stir it in, and then add more until it foams less vigorously.
After they are softened as much as you want, you can add some acidifying agent such as tomatoes, lemon juice or tamarind.
Works at a residential alternative high school in the Himalayas SECMOL.org . "Back home" is Cape Cod, E Coast USA.