Szalmabab

Szalmabab is a colloquial term, primarily used in Hungarian, that translates literally to "straw bean." It does not refer to a specific botanical species or a distinct variety of bean. Instead, the term is often used to describe dried, mature beans that have been stored for a period, sometimes to the point where their texture has become very hard or brittle, resembling straw. This hardening is a natural process as beans dry out over time, especially if not stored in optimal conditions.

Historically, when food preservation was more rudimentary, farmers might have stored harvested beans for extended periods. These beans, after drying completely, could become quite tough. The "szalmabab" designation might have been applied to such beans, indicating their age and hardened state, often implying they would require prolonged soaking and cooking to become palatable.

The term can also be used more figuratively to refer to any bean that is considered old, tough, or of poor quality. It is not a scientific classification and its usage can vary regionally or within families. In modern contexts, with improved storage and access to fresh or properly dried beans, the term is less common but still understood as referring to a very dry and hard bean.