'Shirazi Loobia Chiti' Bean

Phaseolus vulgaris Origin: Shiraz, Iran Improvement status: Cultivar Seeds per packet: ~20 Germination tested 12/2024: 94% Life cycle: Annual We're thrilled to be offering these beautiful, delicious, large and rotund beans from Shiraz, Iran, for the first time. Grown for EFN by our friend Leila Rezvani, of Keshtyar Seed (a small diversified seed and vegetable farm in Chesterfield, Massachusetts), we were astounded by the yield Leila managed to get after growing just one row of these for the first time in 2024. Our original source for the beans was the USDA's National Plant Germplasm System, which they entered following their collection in Shiraz by a USDA Regional Pulse Improvement Project scientist called K.H. Evans in 1977, just two years prior to the Iranian Revolution (after which USDA scientists were expelled from the country).According to Leila's father, these are classic "loobia chiti" beans, beloved among Iranians and a key ingredient in various soups, stews (like "Khorak-e"),