What it is for
Heat unfolds them and they link to each other: they bind, they firm, they build crust. They are one half of the Maillard reaction; sugar is the other.
Where it catches you out
Every protein has its own threshold and none of them are reversible. Egg turns at 82 °C, meat at 70, fish at 55 — once past, there is no coming back.
The knack
These figures describe dry seeds; do not apply them to the same weight of fresh shelled or boiled beans.
Storage and health
How to keep it, and who it suits.
Keeping it
Keep in an airtight container in a cool, dry, dark cupboard for 12 months.
Gluten-free
Plain dried borlotti beans are naturally gluten-free legumes.
Same family
Eg
EggWhite 62 °C · yolk 65 °C
Be
Red meatMedium 57 °C · collagen melts at 68 °C
Ch
ChickenSafe internal temperature 74 °C
Fi
FishSets at 50–55 °C · dries fast
Ln
LentilProtein 25% · breaks down in 20 min
Ck
ChickpeaProtein 19% · skin dissolves in alkaline water
Wc
White cheesepH 4.6 · 5–7% brine
Kf
White beans (dry)23.4% protein · 333 kcal
Bo
Black-eyed peas (dry)23.5% protein · 336 kcal
Ym
Green lentils (dry)24.6% protein · 352 kcal
Kz
Lamb16.9% protein · 267 kcal
Kuz
Lamb foreshank18.9% protein · 201 kcal
Dk
Beef mince (15% fat)18.6% protein · 215 kcal
Tb
Chicken thigh (skin on)16.5% protein · 221 kcal
He
Turkey meat (skinless)22.6% protein · 115 kcal
Ds
Beef sucuk23.8% protein · 454 kcal
Ps
Pastırma cured beef28.6% protein · 252 kcal
Di
Beef tripe12.1% protein · 85 kcal
Kp
Lamb trotters?
Mm
Sheep intestine?
Ha
European anchovy20.4% protein · 131 kcal
Lv
European sea bass19.5% protein · 128 kcal
Cp
Gilthead sea bream19.1% protein · 130 kcal
Pl
Atlantic bonito20.2% protein · 216 kcal
Md
Mussels (raw meat)11.9% protein · 86 kcal
K4
Fava beans (dry)?
Es
Meat stockCarries gelatine · 4–6 kcal per 100 ml
EggWhite 62 °C · yolk 65 °C
Be
Red meatMedium 57 °C · collagen melts at 68 °C
Ch
ChickenSafe internal temperature 74 °C
Fi
FishSets at 50–55 °C · dries fast
Ln
LentilProtein 25% · breaks down in 20 min
Ck
ChickpeaProtein 19% · skin dissolves in alkaline water
Wc
White cheesepH 4.6 · 5–7% brine
Kf
White beans (dry)23.4% protein · 333 kcal
Bo
Black-eyed peas (dry)23.5% protein · 336 kcal
Ym
Green lentils (dry)24.6% protein · 352 kcal
Kz
Lamb16.9% protein · 267 kcal
Kuz
Lamb foreshank18.9% protein · 201 kcal
Dk
Beef mince (15% fat)18.6% protein · 215 kcal
Tb
Chicken thigh (skin on)16.5% protein · 221 kcal
He
Turkey meat (skinless)22.6% protein · 115 kcal
Ds
Beef sucuk23.8% protein · 454 kcal
Ps
Pastırma cured beef28.6% protein · 252 kcal
Di
Beef tripe12.1% protein · 85 kcal
Kp
Lamb trotters?
Mm
Sheep intestine?
Ha
European anchovy20.4% protein · 131 kcal
Lv
European sea bass19.5% protein · 128 kcal
Cp
Gilthead sea bream19.1% protein · 130 kcal
Pl
Atlantic bonito20.2% protein · 216 kcal
Md
Mussels (raw meat)11.9% protein · 86 kcal
K4
Fava beans (dry)?
Es