This limited edition collection of impossible to find heirloom beans won't be around for long. We've gathered 3 of our favorite rare and unique beans grown on a small, independent farm using organic and regenerative practices. This amazing collection makes a fantastic gift for the bean lover in your life, or a gift just for you!
This stunning blood red bean is recognized in the Slow Food Ark of Taste and indeed resembles its namesake. One of America's oldest and most unique varieties, The Red Cranberry bean was rediscovered by bean collector John Withee after an 11-year quest in Steep Falls Maine. This rare heirloom had been used by Abnaki Indians centuries ago but became extinct shortly thereafter due its tall stature that made it difficult for harvesting when grown at lowlands or gradual slopes. This plumps up to be marble sized jewels with a dense yet creamy texture and a rich, earthy flavor.
RIO ZAPE
Beloved by chefs and revered as "the noblest bean" by The Washington Post, this 100% organic heirloom bean club exclusive comes to us from family owned Fifth Crow Farms. It will blow your mind as a refried bean (as featured in Food & Wine Magazine), and it makes an amazing mole taco!
The Rio Zape is a very special bean, so special it's in the Slow Food Ark of Taste! Rumor has it that the bean was unearthed in the ruins of the Anasazi cliff–dwelling people in the American southwest. It is similar to the popular pinto bean but way more tasty, and is purple with dark burgundy slashes.
The Arikara Yellow heirloom bean is creamy and very flavorful with a hard shell that holds its shape when cooked. They are a favorite in soups and stews as well as the Three Sisters Mash. This Slow Foods Ark of Taste ingredient has a long cultural history. First documented by Lewis and Clark, these indigenous beans were once the primary food source for American Indian tribes in the Missouri Valley. Thomas Jefferson grew the Arikara Yellow Beans in his own garden at Monticello. There he described it as “one of the most excellent we have had.”Unfortunately after being moved to the Fort Berthold reservation near Bismarck, North Dakota, the Arikara tribe has relatively little land to farm. Thankfully seed savers and small scale farmers have saved the Arikara Yellow from extinction.
Collection contains 3 1LB bags of organic heirloom beans.
Blue House Farm grows drop dead gorgeous beans from the gorgeous, fertile land in Pescadero and San Gregorio, California. Ryan Casey became interested in farming in college while taking agriculture courses. After completing an apprenticeship at the Center for Agroecology and Sustainable Food Systems and working on several farms, he decided to start an organic farm. The farm started in 2005 on 2 acres and has steadily grown to over 75 acres in production. Farming in two different microclimates allows Blue House Farm to grow over 50 types of certified organic farm products. Among the lettuce, tomatoes, herbs and peppers Blue House Farm grows excellent organic beans.
Fifth Crow Farms is an organic family owned farm in Pescadero, California. Grounded in a values-based approach to land stewardship, Fifth Crow Farm is a dynamic and diversified organic farm in Pescadero, CA. Founded in 2008 with a shoestring budget, a supportive local community, and ambitious dreams, they strive to bring eaters the highest quality, best tasting, and most nutritious food possible.
Fifth Crow Farm wants their farm to be more than a business: they strive to make it an engine for positive change in the food system. They are stewarding the land in a way that not only respects but improves habitat for wildlife and builds better soil for future farmers. They also believe in creating a healthy, fulfilling, and fair work environment, and providing their customers with the best tasting, most nutritious, highest quality food possible.