I thought that title might catch someone's attention. =) I have a customer that complained about the beans she buys from someplace else. She said that half of them float which means they are old. Now, I have been told if you are getting seed ready to plant that you can try this trick and that any that float, are no good. However, does it really mean the dried bean is old if it floats? Anyone have a clue?

-- Marci in NE Ohio (Marci@amazinggrazefarm.com), March 22, 2002

Answers

My GreatGrandmother would always say that. She would put them in a kettle to soak and any that floated she would dip out and give to the chickens. She said she didn't want "stale" beans!!

-- Micheale from SE Kansas (mbfrye@totelcsi.net), March 22, 2002.

Exactly, just like eggs. Floater beans go to the chickens. Floater eggs go to the trash (unless someone here on the board knows what else old eggscan be used for???).

Blessings

-- Michaela (flhomestead@hotmail.com), March 22, 2002.

if a bean floats,, it means it has air in it,, how does this happen?? usually bugs drill a hole in it,, and lay an egg,, go ahread and eat em,, just protein

-- Stan (sopal@net-pert.com), March 22, 2002.

Michaela,

Why don't you just put the floater eggs back in the slop pail for the chickens? I feed old and some new ones to the chickens. They love eggs ! ! !

-- J McFerrin (JMcFerrin@aol.com), March 22, 2002.