To sum up: Do black beans need to be cooked? Yes. Full stop. No debate. Raw beans are not a superfood; they are a super-weapon against your own happiness. Cook them until they’re tender, season them with garlic and cumin, and then eat them with a clear conscience. Or, just buy the can. Your stomach, your taste buds, and everyone within a 10-foot radius will thank you.
Now go boil something. And maybe apologize to that bag of beans you’ve been eyeing suspiciously. They don’t mean you any harm—they just want to be soft and loved.