Beans are the large edible seeds that grow in pods on legume plants. There are hundreds of bean varieties, including red kidney beans and cannellini beans, which are sometimes referred to as white kidney beans. While they are close genetic cousins, some subtle differences distinguish red kidney beans from cannellini beans.
Size and Color
The most obvious difference between red kidney beans and white cannellini beans is their color. While they both tend to have the generalized shape of a kidney, dried white cannellini beans are a little larger than their red counterparts. When cooked, the larger cannellini beans absorb more moisture and provide more texture for the palate when eaten.
Cuisine
Red kidney beans have long been touted for the ability to soak up flavors from the juices that they are cooked in, which is why they have always been a favorite to add to slow-cooked chilis and stews. Cannellini beans also soak up flavor, but are predominantly featured in Italian cuisine in dishes like fagioli, minestrone and salads.
Nutritional Value
All beans, including red kidney beans and cannellini beans, are rich sources of protein and fiber. However, there are some nutritional differences between them. According to Calorie Gallery, for equal serving sizes, red kidney beans offer nearly 10 times as much iron, vitamin E and folate, nearly six times more potassium and four times more calcium. While it appears that red kidney beans offer more nutritional value, it is important to point out that these servings would result in nearly 800 calories from the red kidney beans and only 200 for the cannellini beans.
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