If you’re bothered by gas when you eat beans, try this cooking method. Put the beans in a large pot and cover them with water. Bring them to a boil and take them off the heat. This breaks the capsules surrounding the beans and allows stachyose, verbascose and raffinose, the gas-causing sugars, to escape into the water. Stir about half a teaspoon of baking soda into the soaking water (to make it more alkaline) and let the beans soak overnight. Drain the soaking water off the beans and rinse them thoroughly. Place the beans in a large pot and cover them with plenty of water (about 2″ or more over the top of the beans).  Bring to a boil over high heat, then reduce the heat to just under boiling and cook the beans until they are soft.  Cooking time will vary with the variety of the beans and the …