Laliberté Pea

Old dwarf cultivar from Beauce, Quebec. Its green pods are covered with purple stripes. It can be eaten as green or dry beans. According to many, they're the best choice to make baked beans (fèves au lard). However, Boucher Family bean fans disagree. The solution? Mix 'em both! Beauce territory was originally occupied by the Iroquoian Nation of the Saint-Lawrence. It is therefore a possibility that this bean comes from a variety that they were growing. With the arrival of the first Colonizers many trades happened, among which beans were handed to the newcomers. With this gift, they then continued selection over many years to create different varieties. This variety, Thibodeau du comté Beauce, was found by Mr Marc Warsha. He was given the seeds by Mr Martin Roy from St-Zacharie, in Beauce. The cultivation of this bean had been carried for 4 generations, starting with the great-great-grandmother of Martin Roy, as far as we can trace back. The name, Thibodeau du comté Beauce, was first listed in the Seed of Diversity catalogue in 2003. Package: 30 seeds

Orca beans are a bush variety known to have existed in the Caribbean about 400 years ago. The name comes from its unique black and white markings, strikingly similar to those of the aquatic mammal (Orcinus orca). The beans are harvested once the pods are fully dry. They will be a great addition to your stews or your indoor decoration!   Package: 25 seeds Photo Credit: https://www.southernexposure.com  

It was brought by the first colonizers to New France. From then on, it became a key part of daily meals.

In the 1760s, with the arrival of the potato, the consumption of broad beans decreases all over Quebec except for a few regions. The 'Petite du Lac' variety probably comes from one of this period.

Alphonse Gauthier, former agronomist and horticulture professor at Institut de technologie agricole de La Pocatière, sent 'Petite du Lac' seeds to England (precise location unknown) for analysis. He was told that this cultivar had adapted to the Saguenay region and thus developped its own characteristics, making it stand out from this much bigger relative, the Windsor broad bean.

It is mostly eaten in soups, and brings a lot of energy. It is easy to store for the winter once dry.

Please refer to Potager d'Antan for more informations (in French): https://potagersdantan.com/2011/09/14/la-gourgane-petite-du-lac/

Package: 20 seeds

Very vigorous climbing green bean, grows deep purple flowers and long striped pods. These pods can be eaten fresh. Once dry, the beans are striped too, dark grey on a paler backdrop. Please note that the hilum is not located at the centre of the bean, as it is not symmetrical. This gives the impression that the bean has been crushed once dry. The Seeds of Diversity organization as listed this variety as very rare. It is believed to come from the Mennonite people from the Waterloo region in Ontario. Package: 35 seeds

Heirloom variety introduced to the Saint Lawrence River Valley by French settlers in the 17th Century. It is still eaten today and makes delicious pea soup. High yielding plants. They will need trellising and can grow up to 1 meter tall.

 

The Potager d'Antan reports this story : « According to an old European tradition dating back from the 15th Century, Hubertus, patron saint of hunters, was associated with the pea soup.

 

To make a long story short, during his lifetime, in the 7th Century, Hubert went astray, hunted on Good Friday, and while pursuing a stag, he had a vision in which he saw the animal with a crucifix between its antlers and heard a voice enjoining him to lead a holy life.

 

Hubertus later performed many miracles, evangelised pagans in distant countries, and erected temples dedicated to the Lord. He died on May 30, 727. His relics were translated on November 3, 743. His feast day is November 3 in Belgium and May 30 in France.

 

In memory of Saint Hubert, European settlers in Quebec supposedly kept the name of this pea variety, used in the preparation of the hunting soup ».

 

For the complete story, visit the Potager d’Antan website.

 

This variety is very rare and is considered endangered.

Package: 30 seeds

Big fleshy black beans that can be eaten fresh or cooked as beans. Ideal for soups and refritos. Easy to grow, the plants are robust, high-yielding, and tolerant to cooler soils. If you fail at growing Black Coco beans, consider becoming an accountant. Package: 30 seeds