Blue Coco beans are a distinctive choice for any garden. This unique pole bean variety stands out with its striking bluish-purple pods, adding visual interest. They are a captivating specimen for gardeners and culinary enthusiasts.
Understanding Blue Coco Beans
Blue Coco beans are a French heirloom variety. These pole beans feature vigorous vines that can reach lengths of 6 to 10 feet, adorned with violet flowers and dark green leaves. The pods themselves are bluish-purple, fleshy, and slightly curved.
The name “Blue Coco” refers to the pods’ color and the seeds’ chocolate or coco hue. They offer a mild, sweet, and meaty flavor with a nutty aftertaste. While their vibrant purple color is striking when fresh, the pods will fade to green when cooked.
Cultivating Blue Coco Beans
Successful cultivation of Blue Coco beans begins with selecting an appropriate site. These beans thrive in areas receiving full sun, at least six to eight hours of direct sunlight daily. They are tender plants and will not tolerate frost, so planting should occur after all danger of frost has passed and soil temperatures consistently reach at least 60°F (15.5°C).
Well-draining soil rich in organic matter provides the best growing medium for Blue Coco beans. They prefer a soil pH ranging from 6.0 to 6.8. Incorporating compost into the soil before planting can improve fertility and water retention. Seeds should be sown directly into the garden, 1 to 2 inches deep and spaced 3 to 6 inches apart within rows that are 18 to 36 inches apart.
As pole beans, Blue Coco beans require sturdy support structures for their vining habit. Trellises, poles, fences, or teepees are suitable options. Consistent moisture is important; they prefer evenly moist soil and should not be allowed to dry out completely between waterings. Watering deeply, about 1 to 2 inches per week, at the base of the plant helps prevent diseases like powdery mildew, which can be promoted by overhead watering.
Beans are legumes capable of fixing their own nitrogen from the atmosphere through a symbiotic relationship with soil bacteria. Therefore, they generally require average fertility and may not need significant nitrogen fertilization. Excessive nitrogen can reduce pod production. However, they do benefit from phosphorus for root development and potassium for overall plant vigor. A supplemental feeding of compost mid-season can support continuous production.
Managing pests and diseases involves several strategies. Common bean pests include aphids and bean beetles. Diseases like powdery mildew, root rot, and white mold can be mitigated by ensuring good air circulation, avoiding wet foliage, and practicing crop rotation.
Harvesting and Enjoying Blue Coco Beans
Blue Coco beans typically reach maturity in 59 to 65 days from direct seeding. For tender snap beans, harvest when the pods are 6 to 7.5 inches long and still young and pliable. Regular picking, every few days, encourages the plant to produce more pods over an extended harvest period, which can last 6 to 8 weeks. Overgrown pods can be removed to maintain the plant’s vigor.
Freshly harvested Blue Coco beans can be stored in the refrigerator for a short period. For longer preservation, they freeze well after blanching. These beans are versatile in the kitchen due to their tender texture and meaty flavor. They can be steamed, stir-fried, added to salads, or incorporated into soups and stews.
Beans contribute to a balanced diet. They are a source of plant-based protein, dietary fiber, and various minerals such as potassium, iron, zinc, magnesium, copper, and phosphorus.