The reason for sorting is mainly to make sure the beans are free from rocks. Many people also like to pick out the beans that are darker or odd shaped although those beans will not hurt you. To begin sorting, pour a few cups of beans onto a table. Sit at the table in front of the beans with a pan or bowl large in your lap that is large enough to fit all of the beans that are on the table. Scoot beans from the edge of the table to the pan or bowl, removing any rocks or anything else that you see that needs to be removed.
Children love to sort beans.
It is fun. After sorting the beans, place them in a colander and wash under running water under the faucet in the kitchen sink for a minute or so. It s best to hold with one hand and move the beans around with the other to make sure that they are clean. Washing them under running water will assure that all dirt has been rinsed from them. Once beans are sorted and washed, it s time to begin the cooking process.