Herrenböhnli beans, known scientifically as Phaseolus vulgaris, are a variety of pole beans characterized by very delicate, 5-foot vines. They produce small, 2.5-inch pods known for their sweet and tender flavor. At maturity, these pods are filled with almost perfectly round, pinkish-beige seeds that have a faint darkening around the hilum. These beans are surprisingly productive and are also good as a soup bean. The name Herrenböhnli translates to “gentlemen’s little bean.”
These beans are historically significant, said to be a pre-1800 soup bean named after the Herren, who were Teutonic Knights. The seeds are shiny pink when fresh, drying to a pinkish-tan color, and are not quite round, measuring about 5/16×1/4×1/4 inches. Herrenböhnli has shown to be very productive, with reports of 220 seeds being produced from just 7 plants, and a three-year germination rate of up to 100%. These beans typically ripen in early September.
Known also as Herenbone or Heer Bone (Boontjie), the Herrenböhnli bean holds significant historical value. Its Dutch-derived name, meaning “the Lord’s Bean,” points to its association with the early Dutch Governors in the Cape region, hinting at its roots in Dutch colonial history.
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Attributed to Jan van Riebeeck, a key Dutch colonial figure and the founder of Cape Town, the Herrenböhnli bean is believed to have been introduced by him to local farmers in the 1600s. Originally from Lima, these beans adapted well to the Sandveld area’s challenging conditions, known for poor soil and limited moisture. A remarkable feature of the plant is that only the beans are safe for consumption, with other parts containing high cyanide levels, deterring pests. The raw beans, large and white with a unique black mark at the ‘navel,’ are recognized as an heirloom vegetable in South Africa. Notably, they expand significantly when cooked, yet maintain a non-starchy firmness.
The Herrenböhnli bean is characterized by its slender vines and small pods, which house nearly spherical, pinkish-beige seeds with a slight darkening around the hilum, known for their sweet taste and surprising productivity. Seed-saving organizations have played a crucial role in preserving this bean variety, underlining its status as a valuable heirloom and an important part of agricultural history. These preservation efforts are key to maintaining the genetic diversity and cultural heritage embodied by this unique bean variety.
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