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The longer dried beans or peas have been stored, the longer they will take to cook. Although dried beans can be stored indefinitely, they are best used within a year. To determine freshness, check the use-by date on the package. If packages aren’t dated, or when buying in bulk, buy from a market with a rapid turnover.
To rehydrate beans, soak them at least six hours in cold water, Roy Guste Jr. recommends in “The Bean Book.” Or, for a shortcut “quick-soak,” cover unsoaked beans with cold water and heat to a simmer. Turn off heat and leave beans soaking in the hot water for an hour, Guste writes.
