Cannellini & Great Northerns: What’s the Difference? | Camellia Brand (2024)

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Cannellini & Great Northerns: What’s the Difference? | Camellia Brand? ›

"The difference between the two rests primarily with the heartiness of the cannellini over the northern," explains Vince Hayward, the president of Camellia Brand beans. "Because of the thicker skin, and slightly bolder bean taste, the cannellini lends itself better towards soups and stews," Hayward adds.

Cannellini Beans are larger and heartier than Great Northerns and are sometimes referred to as “white kidney beans” because of their traditional kidney shape. You'll often find them mixed with pinto beans.

MasterClass reports that great northern beans are known for their mild taste, which generally allows them to absorb the flavors of other foods, making them a great option for soups. On the other hand, cannellini beans are known for a stronger, nuttier flavor and work well in various dishes, including salads.

If you can't find cannellini beans, great Northern beans are the best stand-in.

Great northern, also called "large white" beans, are larger than navy beans as well, but smaller than cannellini beans. They have a flattened shape similar to lima beans and a delicate flavor.

There were two reasons for the shortage. The first was poor weather conditions in the Upper Midwest, where most of the nation's supply of cannellini beans are grown. The second was increased demand, which took the company by surprise.

While these are all technically white beans, these aren't just different names for the same type of bean. In fact, each of these is actually a distinct varietal.

Unless the recipe tells you to keep the canned beans in their liquid, you should drain your can and give the beans a good rinse before using. This will improve the flavor and texture of your finished dish. Open your cans of beans using a can opener. There may be sharp edges from opening the can.

Cannellini beans are low in fat and cholesterol. This makes them good for your heart. Over the years, I have observed that cannellini beans are not only delicious but also have a remarkable nutritional profile. These beans are particularly rich in protein, with content ranging between 17 and 30 per cent when dried.

Cannellini beans are wonderfully nutritious. They're fat free and an excellent source of fiber, folate, iron and magnesium. One 1/4 cup serving contains 11 grams of protein! Adding nutritious foods like dried cannellini beans to your diet may help control blood sugar levels; talk with your doctor.

What is the closest to Great northern beans? ›

For great northerns, you can opt for pinto beans, chickpeas, or lima beans. These alternatives offer a similar tender texture and mild taste that work well in delicate dishes.

Navy Beans are small, oval-shaped beans with white skin. They have a mild, delicate flavor. These are the beans used for the famous Boston Baked Beans. These white beans were named Navy Beans because of their inclusion in the U.S. Naval diet during the second half of the 19th Century.

White Kidney Beans

Also known as cannellini or alubia beans, they are white or cream-coloured.

Cannellini and great northern beans are similar but they do have subtle differences in flavor and texture. That said, if it's 30 minutes until dinnertime and you're staring at a can of the "wrong" kind of beans in your pantry, rest assured that you can swap one for another.

The easiest beans to digest (therefore less likely to cause gas), according to Country Life Foods, are lentils, black eyed beans, adzuki beans and mung beans. (Click through to learn more about the amazing health benefits of mung beans.) The harder ones to digest are red kidney, soy, black and lima beans.

Cannellini beans are the largest of the group and because of their traditional kidney shape, they can also be referred to as White Kidney Beans. Meatier than Navy or Great Northern beans, they have a nutty, earthy flavor and tender flesh, and are often used in Italian dishes like Minestrone.

White beans to be exact, since they tend to yield the creamiest results with a relatively neutral flavor. Baby lima beans are the pièce de résistance of creamy white beans if you ask me, but aren't always the easiest to find, especially canned.

Though they come in several varieties, cannellini beans tend to be the most popular. Due to their high fiber and protein content, they may help support a healthy body weight, muscle mass, and digestion. In particular, they're a great source of protein for vegans and vegetarians.

When cooked, they have a fluffy texture and a slightly nutty, mild flavour.