Bean – Dark Red Kidney

Description

50 Seeds per pack

Dark Red Kidney – Dry Bean

Days to maturity: 90- 100 Days

Sun Requirements: Full Sun

Botanical Name: (Phaseolus vulgaris)

Dark Red Kidney beans originated in Peru, where Indian traders introduced them to Central and South America. Spanish explorers later brought them to Europe upon returning from their voyages to the Americas. Now a staple in kitchens worldwide, they are the most popular bean used in chili.

This sturdy bush variety grows 18-20” tall with a 16” spread, producing a heavy crop of pods, each containing at least five large, kidney-shaped beans. The deep reddish-brown beans have a firm texture and slightly thicker skin than light red kidney beans. While both varieties can be used interchangeably, dark red kidney beans hold their shape better during cooking and have a more pronounced flavor that stands up well to bold seasonings. Grown specifically for drying, they are easy to cultivate and harvest, making them an excellent choice for home gardeners looking to grow their own dry beans.

Thriving in full sun, these plants produce a generous yield that stores well for long periods. Dark red kidney beans are a staple in soups, stews, salads, and casseroles and make an excellent base for vegetarian burgers and chili. They absorb flavors beautifully, whether in red beans and rice, three-bean salad, or any dish calling for pintos or black beans.

Packed with essential vitamins, including B1, B2, B3, B5, B6, B9, C, E, and K, dark red kidney beans also contain bioactive compounds that support digestion, metabolism, and blood sugar balance. Their excellent storage life makes them a great staple for the pantry, ensuring a steady supply of homegrown dried beans for months to come.

A rewarding crop for small gardens, dark red kidney beans are a practical and worthwhile addition for those looking to grow their own staple foods. Whether you’re planning ahead for hearty winter meals or stocking up for everyday cooking, this variety provides a dependable and abundant harvest. Bulk amounts are also available for those wanting to grow a larger supply!

Caution: Do Not eat Kidney Beans raw or as sprouts. Raw Kidney Beans and Kidney Bean sprouts contain lectin, a glycoprotein that can bind to sugars in membranes, causing changes in the membrane that lead to agglutination (clumping of cells) and mitosis (cell division). In the digestive tract, they bind to intestinal cells and block absorption, causing nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea lasting about 4 hours, after ingesting as little 4 raw Kidney Beans. The Kidney Bean lectin (hemagglutinin) is destroyed by thorough boiling for 10 minutes, after which water should be discarded and replaced before cooking, whether simmering or cooking in a slow cooker/crock pot.

Planting Instructions for Dark Red Kidney Bean Seeds

Sow Dark Red Kidney beans 1-2″ deep, 2-6″ apart, in rows 18-36″ apart, in full sun after danger of frost. Soaking bean seeds in water 1-2 hours before planting speeds germination. Germination occurs in 4-16 days in soil 60-85°F. Provide support for heirloom pole bean varieties. For heirloom snap beans, harvest when beans are 3-6″ long. For dry beans, leave pods on plants until pods are dry, brown, and crisp, and beans are hard and rattle in pod, if more drying is needed when danger of frost has arrived, pick pods or pull entire plant and hang upside down to dry further.

FAQ: