The Coffee Cornfield Bean

Every growing season, I grow several varieties of tomatoes, beans, peas, butter beans and many others for seed production and preservation. By the time the Spring season rolls around, I have usually acquired several “new old varieties” which are in need of being grown to increase the seed stock of that variety.

The coffee cornfield bean I obtained at a seed swap in Kentucky this past Spring is a good example of a heritage seed grow-out. As is the case with most grow-outs, I plant a short row which usually produces a good amount of seed for future plantings.

The coffee cornfield produces long narrow pods that are well filled out at maturity. The pink bean hulls stand out in sharp contrast, hanging in clusters among the bean vines. The oblong dark tan seeds give a hint as to the origin of their name, as they resemble coffee with cream.

Another possibility is a family name. Many of the old varieties that have been handed down through the years are given the name of the original family who grew them, so it is possible that this bean variety was grown by the Coffee family.

*In the photographs, we see the beans at different stages of development. The larger, lighter-colored beans are immature fresh shelled, and the darker ones are dried. The yellow-pink hulls have reached full maturity and are ready to be shelled.

– John Coykendall, Master Gardener