Bean Day

🫘

Hold onto your beanies, because today we celebrate the tiny little legume that has played a big role in shaping our understanding of genetics.
But why should we dedicate a day to these tasty morsels?
Well, it turns out that beans have played a crucial role in shaping our understanding of genetics.
🫘🥄

The origins of Bean Day can be traced back to the work of Gregor Mendel, an Austrian monk and scientist who is considered the “father of genetics.”
Mendel was an Austrian monk with a passion for natural science.
He spent years crossing different varieties of pea plants, carefully tracking the traits of each generation.
In the mid-1800s, Mendel conducted a series of experiments with pea plants, using beans as his model organism.
Like pea plants, beans are also an excellent model organism for studying genetics.
And just like Mendel’s pea plants, beans have a rich variety of different characteristics that can be easily observed and studied.
His work laid the foundation for the field of genetics, showing how traits are passed down from one generation to the next, thus laying the foundation for modern genetics.

But enough with the science lesson, let’s talk about how to celebrate Bean Day in style.
The possibilities are endless, much like the genetic variations in Mendel’s legume plants.

• Cook a bean-based meal.
  Whether it’s a classic chili or a new bean-based recipe, enjoy a hearty meal and pay tribute to Mendel’s work.
• Host a “Bean-genetics” party.
  Invite friends to bring a dish made from their favorite bean, and discuss the genetic principles behind the beans.
• Make a bean bag toss game.
• Organize a “Bean plant” growing competition.
  Take inspiration from Mendel’s experiments, and see who can grow the tallest or most productive bean plant.
• Take a hike and look for different types of beans growing wild, or even go on a bean-hunting adventure.
• For the truly adventurous, why not try your hand at genetic engineering and create your own bean hybrid?
  Who knows, you may stumble upon the next big thing in legume-lution!

Bean Day is a chance to appreciate the small but mighty legume, and the pioneering scientist who helped us understand the building blocks of life. 
So, on January 6th, celebrate the legacy of Gregor Mendel, “genetic-engineer” your lunch, nourish our brains with new knowledge and have a “Bean-tastic Party” to honor the field of genetics.

🍽️
Did you know that peanuts are actually also a kind of bean?