Pinto beans are a popular type of bean grown and consumed in many parts of the world. They are known for their brown speckled skin and their mild, earthy flavor. But where exactly are pinto beans most popular?
North America
Pinto beans originated in Mexico and other parts of Central and South America. They have been a dietary staple in this region for thousands of years. When Spanish explorers brought pinto beans back to Europe from the Americas, their popularity quickly spread. Today, pinto beans are widely consumed across North America.
In the United States, pinto beans are especially common in Tex-Mex and Southwestern cuisine. They are a key ingredient in dishes like tacos, burritos, chili con carne, and nachos. The United States produces around 1 million tons of pinto beans per year, with North Dakota and Michigan being top producers.
Pinto beans are also popular in Mexico, where they are used in stews, soups, salads, and side dishes. They are often paired with rice in dishes like arroz con frijoles. Mexico produces around 160,000 tons of pinto beans annually.
In Canada, pinto beans are found in many bean salads, soups, and chili recipes. Prince Edward Island is a major producer of pinto beans in Canada.
Reasons for popularity in North America
- Long history of cultivation in Mexico/Central America
- Integral part of Tex-Mex and Southwestern U.S. cuisine
- Mild taste appealing to many palates
- Thrive in North American climate conditions
- High protein and fiber content valued for nutrition
South America
As the original home of pinto beans, South America still widely uses this legume today. Countries like Brazil, Peru, Ecuador, Colombia and Venezuela all incorporate pinto beans into their cuisines.
In Brazil, pinto beans are called feijão carioca and often accompany rice as the staple food of many dishes. They are used in the popular national dish feijoada, a bean stew made with smoked meats.
Colombia produces over 180,000 tons of pinto beans per year. Here pinto beans are served as part of bandeja paisa, a traditional platter of rice, beans, meat, fried eggs, and avocado. Pintos are also used in soups and side dishes.
Peru uses pinto beans in tacu tacu, a pan-fried mixture of rice and beans. They also make for a hearty bean soup called frijoles charapita.
Across South America, pinto beans are valued for being an affordable source of protein and fiber for many people.
Reasons for popularity in South America
- Originated in this region
- Ingrained in traditional cuisines
- Ideal for tropical climate
- Provide protein and nutrients
- Affordable staple ingredient
Europe
While pinto beans are not as widely used in Europe as the Americas, they have become more common in certain European cuisines over time. Countries like Spain, Portugal, Italy and Greece use pintos to varying degrees.
Spain has incorporated pinto beans into their cuisine since being introduced to them by explorers returning from the New World. They are found in Spanish stews like fabada asturiana. Portugal also uses pinto beans in stew dishes like feijoada à transmontana.
In Italy, pinto beans may be used in minestra, a mixed bean soup. They also get added to some pasta e fagioli recipes. In Greece, giant butter beans are more common, but pinto beans can sometimes be found in soups and salads.
The climate in much of Europe is not ideal for growing pinto beans. Most pintos consumed in Europe are imported from North and South America.
Reasons for popularity in Europe
- Historical ties to New World exploration
- Incorporated into some regional cuisine
- Used for nutrition in bean soups/dishes
- Imported from Americas as needed
Africa
In Africa, pinto beans have been slower to gain popularity compared to other regions. Beans like black-eyed peas, kidney beans and cowpeas have traditionally been more common. But as African cuisines evolve, pinto beans are starting to be used more frequently.
In East Africa, pintos are sometimes included in stews, curries and mashed bean dishes. They can provide protein to balance the starch of ugali, a stiff maize porridge. In West Africa, pinto bean recipes are becoming popular with vegan and vegetarian cooks.
South Africa produces a small amount of pinto beans, but most are imported. Pintos may be found in breyanis, bean salads, or baked bean side dishes here. They are more frequently used in urban, cosmopolitan areas of Africa.
Reasons for growing popularity in Africa
- Improved availability through imports
- Used in new, evolving cuisine trends
- Offer vegetarian protein option
- Can provide balanced nutrition
Middle East
Countries in the Middle East have a long tradition of bean dishes in their cuisine. However, most dishes utilize chickpeas, fava beans and lentils rather than pinto beans.
That said, pintos are starting to appear more often in regional bean salads, rice dishes, and as a substitute for chickpeas in vegetarian recipes. Their availability has increased through import.
In Egypt, pinto beans may be found in some koshari recipes, mixed with rice and lentils. They also get used in falafel patties. The United Arab Emirates imports pinto beans and uses them in biriyani and machbous.
Pinto beans can provide a meatless protein to balance the grains and vegetables commonly eaten in the Middle East. Their fast cooking time makes them convenient as well.
Reasons for growing popularity in the Middle East
- Used to add protein to meatless dishes
- Convenient fast cooking bean
- Increasing availability through import
- Used in rice pilafs, salads, falafel
Asia
There are many indigenous beans used in Asian cuisines, like mung beans, urad dal, edamame and soybeans. This means pinto beans have not been as traditionally popular across Asia.
However, increased international trade has made pinto beans more accessible in some Asian countries. They are now finding limited use in certain regional cuisines.
In India, pinto beans may occasionally be used in vegetarian curries, added to dals or served as chaat street food. They provide an alternative protein source.
Some health food recipes in Japan incorporate pinto beans for extra fiber. China, Vietnam and Thailand may use pintos in chilled bean salads and stir fries on occasion as well, but they are still relatively uncommon.
Reasons for growing popularity in Asia
- Added to provide protein in vegetarian dishes
- Imported for novelty in emerging health food trends
- Use is still limited compared to traditional beans
Australia and New Zealand
As former British colonies, Australia and New Zealand have been slower to adopt New World ingredients like pinto beans into their cuisines.
However, increased immigration from Latin America and the Americas has brought more awareness of pinto beans down under. Refried beans are starting to show up in Tex-Mex restaurants in major cities. Some Australians also use canned pinto beans to make “baked beans” at home.
Both Australia and New Zealand do grow some pinto beans, but beans like black-eyed peas remain more ingrained in traditional cooking. Still, pintos offer a new protein option that more Aussies and Kiwis are starting to try out.
Reasons for growing popularity in Australia/New Zealand
- Increasing influence from Latin American immigrants
- Added to “Tex-Mex” style restaurant dishes
- Provide a non-meat protein source
- Some local production exists
Conclusion
Although pinto beans originated in the Americas, they have spread around the globe and become incorporated into many international cuisines. While still most popular in North and South America, pintos are gaining ground in certain dishes across Europe, Africa, the Middle East, and Asia-Pacific as well.
Their convenience, nutrition, and versatility make them adaptable to many types of cuisine. As global food traditions continue evolving, the popularity of pinto beans is likely to keep spreading to new regions and cultures worldwide.
However, traditional beans still reign supreme in many places. Pinto beans are not as deeply ingrained in food cultures outside the Americas. But their rising availability, mild flavor, and protein content will likely make pintos a globally appreciated legume for years to come.