The Rarámuri Tekomari Bean is a stunning runner bean from the high elevation mountains of the Rarámuri people in Mexico's Sierra Madre, where it has grown for generations in the cool climate of Chihuahua. These pole beans produce brilliant red flowers that hummingbirds adore, and the large, creamy dried beans transform into rich, soul-warming soups and stews. Hardy in zones 6 through 11 and frost-tender, this variety thrives in moderate moisture and well-balanced soil (pH 6.0 to 7.5), rewarding patient gardeners with a harvest that connects them to indigenous agricultural traditions.
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Moderate
6-11
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Moderate
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These beans arrive with genuine cultural heritage, saved and celebrated by the Rarámuri people in Mexico's highest agricultural lands. The red flowers that dot the vines feed hummingbirds while the large, creamy beans deliver exceptional texture and flavor in cooked dishes. The real treasure here is growing something genuinely rare and regionally significant, sourced directly from seed preservation networks dedicated to protecting indigenous crop varieties.
These beans excel in traditional soups and stews where their large size and naturally creamy texture shine. The dried beans cook into a rich, substantial addition to slow-simmered dishes, making them especially valued in Mexican and southwestern cuisine. Beyond the kitchen, the vibrant red flowers serve an ecological purpose, attracting and feeding hummingbirds throughout the growing season.
No timeline data available yet for this variety.
Transplant seedlings outdoors after the last frost date when soil has warmed to at least 60 degrees Fahrenheit. Space plants 6 inches apart along sturdy trellising or poles to support their vigorous climbing growth.
Direct sow seeds outdoors after the last frost date when soil temperature reaches 60 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit, planting along trellises or poles for support.
Allow beans to mature fully on the vine until they dry naturally, at which point the pods will become papery and brittle. Harvest the dried pods by hand, shell out the large beans, and store them in a cool, dry location. For fresh green pods, pick them when young and tender; for dried beans intended for storage and cooking, wait until the entire plant has dried.
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“The Rarámuri Tekomari Bean originates from the high elevation lands of the Rarámuri (also known as the Tarahumara) indigenous people in the Sierra Madre mountains of Chihuahua, Mexico. This cultivar comes directly from Native Seeds/SEARCH's Seed Bank Collection, an organization dedicated to preserving crops grown by indigenous and traditional communities across the southwestern United States and Mexico. The Rarámuri people have cultivated these beans for generations at elevations where cool temperatures allow runner beans to set fruit successfully, developing a variety perfectly adapted to their mountainous homeland. By growing Tekomari beans today, gardeners participate in the continuation of indigenous agricultural knowledge and help maintain biodiversity in the face of industrial seed consolidation.”