Renowned Food Historian, Devon Resident Preserves Regional Bean Varieties

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Devon resident William Woys Weaver, inset.

William Woys Weaver – an author, food historian, and gardener who lives in Devon – works hard to preserve regional bean varieties, giving this often-overlooked product the attention it deserves, writes Adrian Higgins for The Washington Post.

In addition to beans, Weaver also focuses on preserving heirloom vegetables in the Roughwood Seed Collection that was originated by his grandfather.

Among the items in the collection is the Indian Hannah bean, which was saved from extinction by Weaver’s grandfather. The original grower of the bean was Hannah Freeman, who is considered to have been Chester County’s last surviving Lenni-Lenape Indian.

Another Native American bean in the collection is the Potawatomi Pole Lima, which provides red and black beans.

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“It’s just very pretty, and it keeps that color pattern when you cook it,” said Weaver.

For Weaver, the history of each bean variety is fascinating. For example, in the 1860s, a matriarch from southwestern Pennsylvania was preparing a goose when she found beans in its craw. She recovered and planted the beans, giving rise to the Mostoller Wild Goose bean now used in soups and baked beans.

“Her family grew it out for six generations,” said Lee Buttala, executive director of Seed Savers Exchange.

Read more about the history of beans in The Washington Post here.

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