'Black Coat' is a rare runner bean with pods that are much shorter than other runner beans. Besides, these pods contain plump beans whose color changes from pink to purple, and then to a pure ebony-black. Black Coat runner beans are indeed fantastic, and are typically used like a kidney bean, cooking down to a creamy texture. In addition, runner beans in general are a good source of Vitamins A and C, and folic acid, which in turn helps your body produce and maintain new cells, and also helps prevent changes to DNA that may lead to cancer.