Sort through the beans and remove any debris or damaged beans
Rinse the beans under cold water
Soak the beans in water for 6 to 8 hours or overnight, if desired
Drain and rinse the soaked beans
Place the beans in a pot and cover with fresh water
Bring the water to a boil
Reduce the heat to a simmer
Skim off any foam that forms on top
Cook until the beans are tender
Add more water if needed during cooking
Season with salt near the end of cooking
Drain the beans if needed
Serve or use in your recipe