We are excited to introduce you to this historic heirloom from the Willamette Valley that somehow manages to be light and substantial at the same time.

Suggestions: Pot beans, soups, and chilis. Also a good choice for (untraditional) baked beans and refrieds.

This delicious bean comes with a lot of mystery! We know they've adapted beautifully to the Willamette Valley in Oregon but the question is whether they were brought by pioneers in the 19th century or by an associate of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr in the 1970s. The only references seem to be from seed companies telling one or the other story.

They look very similar to the classic Cargamanto bean from Colombia and they are likely related to the Spanish Tolosana bean from the Basque region.

Whatever their story, they have quickly become one of the staff's favorite beans. Because they are mild, they're a great canvas for however you want to prepare them. They make an excellent, but somewhat untraditional, refried bean.