TOP 5 DRIED BEANS
1 The beauty of growing heritage beans for drying is that many varieties can also be harvested as a snap crop early in the season.
‘CHEROKEE TRAIL OF TEARS’ was one of the stars of the Botanic Gardens’ summer trial, with an 8/10 rating. High-yielding, with an average of 184 pods per plant, it topped their list of highly recommended varieties. According to the Running Brook Seeds list, “this historic bean of the Cherokee Nation was taken with them over the Trail of Tears when forcibly removed from their lands by the US Army in the 1800s.” The 12-14cm dark green and purple striped pods are excellent fresh or shelled out and the dried beans are as dark and shiny as black onyx.
2 ‘ CLIMBING SELUGIA’ (from Running Brook Seeds, also sold as ‘Mr Ineson’ by Koanga Gardens) has beautiful dried seeds that are near-black with creamy speckles. Rated 8/10 by the Botanic Gardens, with 139 pods per plant. Highly recommended.
3 ‘GOOD MOTHER STALLARD’
is the pick of the dried bean bunch for
NZGardener staff writer Barbara Smith, who says it’s a good all-rounder for a small urban garden. Producing 144 pods per plant at the Botanic Gardens, for a 7/10 overall rating. This midwestern American heritage climbing bean is very drought-tolerant with pretty plump seeds splashed with purple-red over cream. From Running Brook Seeds, who describe them as having a “very mild, almost sweet flavour and meaty texture. Add onion, garlic and olive oil – superb.”
4 If you’ve never grown beans for drying before, start with BORLOTTI BEANS.
Available in climbing or semi-dwarf bush forms, these speckled red Italian beans are bellissimo in the garden and the pantry. From Kings, Koanga and Egmont Seeds.
5 With handsome cowhide seeds and a rich flavour, ‘HIDATSA SHIELD FIGURE’ hails from North Dakota. The vigorous vines yielded 114 pods per plant for a 6/10 rating at the Botanic Gardens. This is the bean that inspired the Heritage Food Crops Research Trust to launch its heritage bean bank.