Yes, I know how it works. I count it up before making my next move. If there's one with a large number but no matches AND I have a chance to beat the level I use a shovel to collect it. Gotta watch doing this though. It doesn't count as a move BUT the board shifts and you might mess up your actual planned move.
I would like to be able to use magic beans to buy other boosters, not just shovels. I also want to say those frogs keep licking my strawberries and my sheep have big old hairy attitudes LOL