The Hidatsa Red shelling bean has long been an important source of protein specifically in times and places where meat was scarce. The pods of this variety are green and filled with small, rounded, slightly ovate, glossy, deep cranberry red beans. When cooked, these beans develop a creamy and meaty texture and a memorable flavor that is nutty, smoky and rich. Besides, Hidatsa Red shelling beans provide fiber as well as some iron, zinc, magnesium, calcium, copper and potassium. In addition, folate in these beans participates in biochemical processes that create genetic material, build cells and metabolize amino acids.