Our Zorro Black Beans are always considerably fresher than most dried beans available in the grocery store. They cook more quickly and don't require long soaking periods. Because our bean cleaner is a 1950's Clipper Cleaner model a few dried stems or leaves or broken beans will need to be cleaned out before use. Sort them on a clean, flat surface then rinse twice in clean, cold water before simmering until tender. Black beans are traditional in Mexican and Central American cuisine. They make creamy refried beans and are versatile whole beans.