The difference between beans and cowpeas lies in their appearance and how they are eaten.

Beans refer to the tender fruits of legumes, usually tender beans in pods. They are slender and flat in appearance and appear green or yellow-green. Beans can be eaten directly and are often used in cooking methods such as stir-fry and soup. Cowpeas refer to the seeds of a leguminous plant, which are round and plump in appearance and are usually the seeds in mature pods. Cowpea pods need to be peeled first, and then the seeds are boiled or fried before consumption. Cowpea seeds can be eaten directly or used to make soy products such as tofu and soy milk.