Phaseolus vulgaris

The True Red Cranberry Bean is also known as "Abenaki Bean", and not to be confused with the more common "Vermont Cranberry Bean", which is speckled.

Deep red and quite round, these beans really do resemble cranberries! One of the first beans grown in the Northeast, originally by the Abenaki, and later widely cultivated by New England settlers. It was recorded by the early explorer Lescarbot as "one of the beans planted before 1612 by the Indians of Maine". Despite its popularity, by the 20th century it was almost completely forgotten and would have been lost forever if not for John Withee, a bean collector who searched for 11 years before finally finding this rare bean in Steep Falls, Maine.

Rich flavor and creamy, and holds its shape well.

Pole habit

100 days to dry beans

Slow Foods Ark of Taste Variety