John's Beans

Gardening writer Andi Clevely was sent these beans by a reader in response to an article he had written for The Garden in May 2001. The reader had, in turn, been given them by his father during the 1960s. Originally brought to the UK by Sicilian gardener, Giovanni Dolce, the beans were named 'John's Beans' after him. They produce white flowers followed by prolific clusters of stringless pods. The pods are delicious when young, and the dried beans have a lovely nutty flavour.