It originated in Persia and africa and has been used in the cuisine of the Mediterranean for centuries. Cannellini beans are oval, thin-skinned white beans with a mild flavor, also known as white kidney beans. They are available dried and canned. Dried beans require soaking to rehydrate them. They've also found their way into Spanish stews, Italian Minestrone and various Mexican dishes and are fast becoming popular in many parts of the Western and Southwestern United States.
Chickpeas are available canned, dried and in some areas, fresh.
They are most commonly used in salads, soups and stews. The beans inside are cream coloured with red streaks and have a delicious nutlike flavour. Cranberry beans must be shelled before cooking and lose their red colour during the cooking process. They are available fresh in the summer and dried throughout the year. The three main types are mung dal, urid dal and maisur dal.