I occasionally buy beans from Rancho Gordo, even though I grow plenty of beans here. I buy them because I want to first try them, to see how we like them. Then, if we do like them, I plant some to grow here. So buy a pound, save out a few ounces, just in case, and enjoy the rest!
So far, the two that have made it into the garden are heirloom runner beans from Oaxaca - Ayocote blanco and Ayocote morado (the Ayocote negro was just too "beany" for me). Both varieties are pole type beans, producing masses of flowers, and requiring (and attracting) pollinators to produce beans.
Ayocote blanco beans have white flowers and white beans (like, duh!); morados have scarlet flowers and reddish-purple beans. I prefer the flavor of the blancos, although they are very sloo-ow to produce. Even here in mild Oakland you almost run out of season before they are ready to harvest.
The morados get on with life in a more timely fashion. And they are so, so pretty. They also need to cook, and then cook some more, before settling into soft goodness.
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| Ayocote Morado Beans |
