While green beans are a familiar vegetable, I see them as a source of incredible variety and potential. My work centers on protecting rare bean varieties that might disappear and creating new, outstanding ones. I’ve bred unique lines like ‘Blueberry Patchwork’, a bean variety that is dry, light, and dark blue, with occasional crescent-shaped markings. The pods have striking pinkish-purple and yellow-green hues. Some of the dry beans are almost a light purple, and some are even speckled like a pinto bean. It’s a true patchwork of colors! I also grow the ‘Ahuachapán’ bean, an heirloom variety from the Ahuachapán region of El Salvador. Despite all the beauty in what I do, my work is not just about looks. My main goal is to develop hardier, more flavorful beans.
My collection is an international archive of over 100 bean varieties, and it’s still growing. These seeds tell stories from places all over the world. I have precious Native American heirloom varieties, as well as beans from Europe, Africa, and Asia. In my beliefs, a bean is more than just a vegetable. It’s a piece of history, packed with unique flavors and textures. This rich resource is essential, not only for today’s kitchens, but also for ensuring we have a secure and diverse food supply in the future.
By Scott Malpass
