Beans are one of the oldest foods known to man. They were one of the earliest food crops cultivated in the Americas. Common beans were domesticated about 7,000 years ago in both Peruvian Andes and in southern Mexico. The Aztec, Mayan and Toltecan Indians developed white beans, black beans and all other small-seeded colors and color patterns. In the Andes, the Incas developed very lively and bright colored large-seeded bean varieties. Beans are one of the most nutritionally complete foods available. In fact, no other foods comes close to beans in providing protein, iron, magnesium, zinc, potassium and soluble fiber together in high amounts. Beans have been a key ingredient in a healthy diet of all ages because they are high in complex carbohydrates, protein, dietary fiber, and folate, and a rich source of vitamins and minerals. Beans are low in fat, sodium, and are cholesterol-free.