The classic heirloom bean that inspired the birth of Rancho Gordo. Suggestions of chocolate and coffee make this pinto-family rarity one of our favorite and most requested beans.
Suggestions: Pot beans, soup, dips, refried beans, casseroles
This is the bean that started the whole thing! I was eating a bowl of simply cooked Rio Zapes and I was just bowled over. The flavor was reminiscent of pintos but there was so much more going on. I could detect traces of coffee and chocolate and the velvety texture was like nothing else. I was sold on heirloom varieties after just one bite.
If you garden, the immature pods make excellent string beans.
Recipes and more information on Rio Zape Bean at Rancho Gordo.
Latin name: Phaseolus vulgaris
Country of production: USA