bæna

Böna is a Swedish noun that refers to the edible seed of leguminous plants, commonly known in English as a bean. The standard plural is bönor, and compounds such as gröna bönor describe specific forms like green beans. Böna can also appear as a verb meaning to beg or to pray, though this usage is largely literary or archaic in modern Swedish.

Most beans belong to several genera, with Phaseolus vulgaris (the common bean) and Vicia faba (the broad bean) among the best known. Dried beans are used in soups, stews, and hearty dishes, while fresh beans are eaten as vegetables. Popular varieties include haricot beans, kidney beans, and cannellini; broad beans are often sold as favabönor or faba beans. The term böna thus covers a range of seed types, from small garden beans to larger field beans.

Nutritionally, beans are high in protein, dietary fiber, and minerals such as iron and potassium. They are naturally low in fat and cholesterol-free. Cooking methods such as soaking and thorough boiling aid digestibility and reduce some antinutritional factors, though preparation times vary by type.

Cultivation and production: beans are typically grown as an annual crop, with bush and climbing varieties. They prefer warm conditions, well-drained soil, and adequate moisture. Seed is sown after frost in temperate regions; climbers require support. Dried beans store well when kept in a cool, dry place and can be rehydrated and cooked as needed.

Etymology and usage: the word böna has Germanic roots and has been used in Swedish for centuries, while the verb form böna (to beg or pray) appears in older or literary contexts.