Greasy Beans

A class of beans referred to as "greasy beans" are common in some areas of the Appalachians. Many people have never heard of greasy beans and find the name amusingly strange.

The name greasy beans refers to the fact that the pods of the beans lack the coarse, velvety surface that most common varieties of beans have. The surface of greasy beans are smooth and have a shiny appearance which some refer to as “greasy”.

This year, I am growing out three varieties of greasy beans here in the Garden at Blackberry Farm. In my bean seed collection, I have over 400 varieties of beans. Included in that collection are around 10 examples of greasy beans from different sources.

Some of the names include the Bert Cobble greasy bean, the Rose Hill Virginia greasy bean, the Big Snowball greasy bean, which has large round seeds, and the Lazy Wife greasy bean. These represent just a few of the numerous varietals of greasy beans that are being maintained by seed savers throughout the Appalachian region.

– John Coykendall, Master Gardener