Quite a special bean

[canadamike]

Today, I put my hands on the most unique bean ( phaseolus vulgaris ) I ever saw, the ''GROS JACQUOT DE SOISSON '' OR ''HARICOT DE SOISSON''.

I taught from afar I was looking at a jar of lima beans when My friend Patrice, from LA SOCIÉTÉ DES PLANTES, told me it was a vulgaris. The biggest dry bean I ever saw. It is pure white.

Turns out it is kind of an AOC bean like the french wines. He says it is fabulous and makes a fantastic light purée. The is also the ''soissoulet'' , a version of ''cassoulet'' using it, and lots of special recipes in french on the net for it. They even make confectionneries out of it.

There is a gastronomical order dedicated to it, the
'' gastronomical brotherhood of the companions of the haricot de Soisson''

Ah! Those french fellows...when they love something....

Anyway, you all know ( I hope) I secured some seeds for the people here. I can share some this year, but I will grow more for the future.

And YES grungy, wou will get some

[orflo]

And this is also a bean with a history, probably existing for over 100 years. It's mentioned in a wonderful bean book: 'les haricots', dating from the first half of the twentieth century,out of print off course , maybe there's some way to find it second-hand (I don't have it myself...).
The beans are made into some sort of 'vélouté' (help, Michel, no English available... ), and sold in glass jars.

[canadamike]

You mean like that?



Do you have it?

[grungy]

Thank you, Michel.

[bunkie]

if you have a few to spare michel, i'd like to grow some. are they a pole or bush bean?

[canadamike]

Very very climbing, 8-10 feet easily if not more

[wolfcub]

I also would like to try a few if you have any to spare thanks so much they look delicious Marj

[canadamike]

[paquebot]

I think you may find that they are a white cousin of Scarlet Runner. If so, they are P. coccineus rather than P. vulgaris. You'll find them also called potato beans. I grew such a critter the past 2 years. Even when dry, they are giants which are about 12 per one ounce. Everything the same as Scarlet Runner except white flowers and white seed instead of red flowers and black seed.

Martin

[canadamike]

Apparently, Martin, they are a vulgaris, not a coccineus. They are a very old cultivar in France, and given their commercial importance, I am sure this has been cleared long ago...

There were coccineus in the jar right besides, and they were smaller than the Soisson.

But I have not grown them... they are sold by seed companies as vulgaris ...

[ottawagardener]

That is one fat bean. Does it have a long growing season?

[canadamike]

I suppose so, like all of the climbing. For me, they usually are killed by frost.

[PatrickW]

I was discussing this kind of bean with a Greek blogger last summer:

www.citygarden.eu/red-carrots-and-prespas-white-kidney-beans/2008/06/17/

At the time I found a listing for a similar bean in the SSE from Bulgaria. I think they are popular in southern Europe, and I've come across them in stores around here before too. I don't know if they are originally from France, but I do think they are popular in many places and probably do taste really good.

[bunkie]

wow patrick! that one is huge! i'm trying to decide which one is bigger???! ;D

Jan 25, 2009 15:01:20 GMT -5 canadamike said:

I suppose so, like all of the climbing. For me, they usually are killed by frost.

michel, i have started long season bean seed in paper pots and transplanted them to the gardens. they work very well and give them that extra time needed to produce.

[deborah]

Hello Canada Mike--

I've not yet had the pleasure of your acquaintance. Happy to meet you.

I am so tempted to ask for some of the Soissons beans (as I love all things French), but I am already committed to trialing beaucoup beans for Dave in 2009. I will put these lovely beans on my 2010 list and pester you next year if that's okay.

Deborah