On 2015-09-02 03:36:22 +0000, Julie Bove said:

> "gtr" > wrote in message news:2015090117305945254-xxx@yyyzzz...
>> Tonight I'm trying, yet again, to make a bean soup/stew with white
>> beans. On two previous occasions I prepped the beans by putting them in
>> cold water, bringing to boil, boiling for 3 minutes, turn it off, cover
>> and leave it alone for 2-3 hours.
>
> No need to leave for that long. Leave for an hour. Then discard the
> water, add plenty of fresh water and bring to a boil again. Then
> simmer.
>>
>> As I've done tonight.
>>
>> Now added to a recipe that has me BTB, simmer for 1.5 hours (with lamb
>> and other stuff). In previous circumstances (and recipes) the beans
>> were still inedible. I had to keep it up for almost 2 hours before
>> putting it all in a pressure cooker. I've forgotten the other
>> stumble-bum conclusion--I think it may have just been another hour or
>> two of screaming boil or something.
>
> I'm a little confused. Did you add the benas to the other stuff?

Yes.

> Was any of the other stuff tomatoes or salt? If so, that could be the problem.

Neither.

>> This time--without question--the beans are a new bag. I just bought them.
>
> You may have just bought them but how long were they in the store?
> Were they bulk? Packaged? If packaged, then they should have a pull
> date on them. If bulk, then try another store. I never buy bulk
> unless I know that the store sells a lot of them.
>>
>> Anybody else have similar issues with these damnable beans?
>>
>> still have my fingers crossed for tonight, but sense doom.
>
> I have not have that problem since the 70's. The beans I get these
> days cook quickly.