"pick over" dried beans

When a dried bean recipe instructs me to "pick over" the beans prior to cooking, what exactly am I supposed to be looking for? Obvious detritus or pebbles? Shriveled beans? Broken beans?

lilroseglow
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Windischgirl
Windischgirl August 10, 2017
All of the above! I also look for beans that are discolored or appear to have insect damage from the field. Sometimes I'll find another variety mixed in with the beans...like the stray split pea I found in a bag of pintos!
I like to rinse the beans a few times until the water is clear, to eliminate any dust from processing as well.
 
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