Soldier beans get their name from the shape of the marking near the eye of the bean. It looks like a soldier. These are a New England Heirloom variety that is the mainstay of baked bean dinners. These are also fresh dry beans so you have to soak them for less time that the store bought ones.

This bean is full-flavored, holds its shape under long cooking, and stands up well to plenty of seasoning. The bean has a rich aroma. This is considered one of the best kidney style beans for cooking. After cooking, the patterns fade but are still distinct.

Basic Bean Cooking Instructions Pick over beans and rinse in cold water. Place beans in a bowl of fresh cold water, cover and soak for 3 to 4 hours or overnight at room temperature; drain and rinse well. Or place beans in a saucepan and cover with water, bring to a boil, remove from the heat , and soak for 1 hours, drain and rinse well. Cook beans by covering with 2" of water, simmering 1 to 2 hours or until tender depending on size of the bean.

Please Note: Since these are fresh beans they do not need the long soaking of store bought beans.  Oversoaking these beans will cause them to sprout and ferment.

These beans are grown by Morningstar Meadow farms in Glover, Vermont. Seth specializes in growing dry beans for us and does an excellent job on his hill farm. He learned much of what he knows from Jack Lazor at Butterworks Farm. Mentoring is a rich tradition up here in Vermont.

Certified Organic; Seasonal Item