You'd be surprised at how many variations there are on pretty, purple beans! I've seen a lot and I wasn't so excited about Lila until I discovered in Morelos they are called "Frijol Apetito." Nice, isn't it? Then I cooked and ate them. They were fantastic.

Somewhat in the Flor de Mayo family of flavor, they were juicy and velvety and everything you might want in a bean. I just flipped for them. The beans are from the south side of the Popocatépetl Volcano (which is active, by the way) through Huajuapan, mostly in a dry, arid semi-desert terrain at a high altitude.

I have a suspicion that Lila beans, like Flor de Mayo, won't age well. You'll want to cook them within six to eight months of receiving them. I think they are the type of bean that screams for pork but my first attempt at cooking them was with olive oil, onions, garlic and a bay leaf in plain water and I was quite smitten.

Cooking suggestions: The beans would shine in soups, stews, refried beans and with most any kind of pork.

Recipes and more information on Lila Bean at Rancho Gordo. 

Latin name: Phaseolus vulgaris