Do not add baking soda to beans to soften it because it actually prevents the beans from absorbing moisture and may also destroy some nutrients.
Don’t try to cook dry beans with other slow cooker ingredients. They need to be soaked first.
Your beans are done cooking when you can mash them easily with a fork
When cooking beans, make sure to simmer and avoid high heat as it can damage the beans
do not soak the black beans before cooking them. If you pre-soak the beans, they turn an unappetizing grey color when you cooked
To prevent bugs growing in your beans and pulses, put a couple of peeled garlic cloves in the jar where you keep them.
Beans, peas and cabbage will cook to tender perfection if it is cooked without salt. Salt can be added after the vegetables are cooked, while serving or while re-heating before serving
When cooking beans, any additional ingredients, such as acidic substances, such as lemon juice, vinegar, tomatoes, ketchup or wine, should be added at the end of the cooking time, since acid makes the beans firm. You could add a packet of seasoning after the beans are tender, as adding it too soon can inhibit the cooking process.