Last week, my sister came home with a 50kg bag of beans.
My mum sent her to go bring it from a customer – a beans wholesale dealer – who she paid to buy Honey (Oloyin) beans for her.
Then we went into the process of bottling the beans for storage. (Keep reading… I’ll explain how we do it.)
We’ve been storing beans and different Nigerian staple foods for as long as I know my home. My mum is really big on buying food in bulk! This always saves our average-income family so much money and time – going to the market always. Not to mention how it always helps us eat nutritious food. I shared more benefits in this free ebook.
I know you most likely want to know how to buy and store food in bulk, so you can enjoy these benefits and more that I shared. That’s the reason I’m bringing you this… writing from over 15 years of home bulk purchase and storage experience.
I’m writing about beans today because this is a good time to still buy your beans in bulk.
Here is an ebook that shares things to consider before buying bulk food.
5 Reasons To Buy Beans In Bulk
Ok. Let’s get right in. If you’re wondering why you need to purchase and store beans for use at home, here are 5 things that will convince you to place an order immediately:
1. Buying in Bulk is Cheaper
Buying beans in large quantity saves you lots of money, what you would have bought in bits for #200 can be #100 – #150 when you buy in bags. A bag of beans is about 500 cups (milk cup) or a 27-28 paint bucket. And depending on the state you’re in, a bag can cost between #39,000 to #48,000 for honey beans. (There are other cheaper species of brown beans. Honey beans is one of the best species – if not the best. Very sweet!)
As the season for beans harvest fades away, the price keeps rising. If you don’t buy it when it’s in season, you’ll end up spending almost twice that amount, if not more, buying it in bits throughout the year.
It’s also recommended to buy from farmers directly or local market to get the best price. Ask questions – from some of your customers in the market, or from someone who you know is familiar with the market in your state. They’ll tell you the best market to go buy your beans. If you don’t need a full bag, you can even talk to 2 – 4 of your friends… you’ll be surprised they’ll key into the idea. You contribute money, buy a bag, and share.
2. You buy your beans around harvest season
The best time to buy beans for home storage in Nigeria may vary depending on the specific type of bean and the location, but generally, it is best to buy beans during the harvest season when they are readily available and at their lowest price. This can typically be during the months of September to November. You can delay a bit and buy it in January when the beans is drier.
Buying around this time, you get freshly harvested beans that grain dealers hadn’t added chemicals for preservation.
3. Beans have lots of nutritional value
Beans are a nutritious and versatile food that provide a variety of health benefits. Some of the key nutritional benefits of beans include:
- High in protein: Beans are a great source of plant-based protein, which is essential for building and repairing tissues in the body. They are also rich in the amino acids lysine and methionine, which are essential for growth and repair.
- High in Fiber: Beans are also high in fiber, which is important for maintaining a healthy digestive system. Fiber can help to regulate bowel movements, lower cholesterol levels, and control blood sugar levels.
- Rich in minerals: Beans are a good source of minerals such as iron, magnesium, potassium, and zinc. Iron helps to carry oxygen in the blood while magnesium helps in building bones and maintaining normal muscle and nerve function. Potassium helps in maintaining a healthy heart and zinc is important for a healthy immune system.
- Rich in antioxidants: Beans are rich in antioxidants such as flavonoids and anthocyanins, which can help to protect cells from damage and reduce the risk of chronic diseases.
- Low in fat: Beans are low in fat and cholesterol-free, making them a great option for maintaining a healthy heart.
- Low glycemic index: Beans have a low glycemic index, which means they are slowly digested and absorbed, helping to keep blood sugar levels stable.
- Aid in weight loss: Beans are high in fiber and protein and low in fat, which can help to keep you feeling full and satisfied, making it easier to maintain or lose weight.
4. You can use beans to prepare different meals each week
Beans are a staple food in Nigeria and are used in a variety of dishes. Here are 5 popular Nigerian dishes that use beans as an ingredient:
Moi Moi: This is a popular Nigerian bean pudding made by blending cooked beans with spices and palm oil, and then steaming it in a foil or banana leaf. Moi Moi is a staple food for lunch and dinner, it can be served with rice and other sides.
Akara: Akara is a fried bean cake made from black-eyed peas. The beans are blended with spices and onions, shaped into balls and then deep-fried. Akara is usually eaten as a snack or breakfast food.
Beans Porridge: This is a popular Nigerian dish made by cooking beans in a stew made of tomatoes, peppers, onions and other spices. It can be served with rice or swallow (yam, cassava, etc)
Gbegiri Soup: This is a traditional Yoruba soup made from ground beans, it is often served with Amala (a type of swallow) and is a staple in many Yoruba households. It is made by blending beans with spices and then cooking it with a palm oil-based broth.
Beans and Plantain: This is a simple dish made by cooking beans with spices and serving it with fried plantains. It can be eaten as a side dish or as a main meal.
Beans and Fried Rice: This dish is made by cooking beans with spices and then mixing it with fried rice. It can be served as a main meal.
Beans and Yam Porridge: This dish is made by cooking yam and beans together in a stew with spices. It is a popular meal in the western part of Nigeria and can be served with a variety of sides.
All these dishes are delicious, filling and nutritious, they are a great way to incorporate beans into your diet. Beans are versatile and can be used in a variety of dishes, it’s a staple food in Nigerian cuisine.
5. Beans is easy to store without a high risk of spoilage
I told you that for as long as I can remember, we’ve been storing beans in our home. We usually buy what use for the whole year. Like the bag we just bought, we’ll eat it until next year. (In fact, we even have little from what we bought last year remaining. We’ll finish it before we start this year’s bag.)
There are various ways of storing beans. Here is how we’ve been storing ours. This method hasn’t failed.
After getting the bag of beans home, we use a funnel to pour them into gallons.
Storing beans in gallons can be an effective method of preserving them, but there are a few essential things to do:
- Make sure the beans are completely dry: Beans stored in gallons should be thoroughly dried before being placed in the container. Any moisture can lead to mould or spoilage.
- Use airtight containers: Gallon containers with tight-fitting lids will help to keep the beans fresh for longer by keeping out moisture and oxygen.
- Check for pests: Beans stored in gallons may be susceptible to pests such as weevils or beetles, so it’s important to check the containers regularly for any signs of infestation. (There really shouldn’t be pests – visibly – if you check well and insist on getting the best from the wholesalers before buying.)
- Put the gallons in turns into your freezer. Each gallon put should last for 2 – 4 weeks so that any pest in it dies.
- Keep them in a cool, dry place: Beans stored in gallons should be kept in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight to prevent spoilage.
- Use the beans within a year or so: The beans stored in gallons should be consumed within a year or so to ensure they are still fresh and safe to eat.
I’ve given you a breakdown and why and how to store beans in bulk for home use. I hope you try it out. Feel free to ask me questions or share ideas on how you store your beans and other household food items too.
The comment section and my email are open! See ya!