Brown beans are a type of common bean, or Phaseolus vulgaris, often available dried. They are light brown with a small white eye and are harvested from a bush. They are closely related to pinto beans, black beans, cranberry beans, and kidney beans. brown beans are a great source of fiber. That's important because most Americans don't get the recommended 25 to 38 grams each day. Fiber helps keep you regular and seems to protect against heart disease, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, and digestive illness.