Just in case you weren’t already convinced and marvelling at the magic of the natural world, check out these beans I found at the San Rafael farmers’ market last month.
Heirloom "calypso" beans, also called orcas or yin yang.
Aren’t they wonderful? It blows my mind how much they look like little killer whales… makes you wonder if Nature gets so attached to some of her creations, she wants to repeat them. 😉
Did Jack grow the beanstalk with legumes like these?
Perhaps most amazing of all is that the beans retain their markings after they’re cooked. Erik’s mom made a salad from them, and while eating it I found this expressive specimen on my plate:
Don't eat me!
I really couldn’t quite bring myself to eat it… but Erik had no such qualms!
The beans came from Canvas Ranch, where they grow other equally striking heirloom beans (and some gorgeous purple bok choy). I had a nice chat with the farmer, Tim, when I bought the beans, and later I found out he’s a painter as well. Ahhhhhh.
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Love, love, love your magic beans! Little orcas. Adorable. So funny… did you see my blogpost via FB this week? It’s called The Magic Seed. I love it that we’re on the same page somehow, even when we don’t see other… except virtually! OXOX
Thank you, Kimber!! Aren’t they wonderful? I can’t get enough of staring at them. I did read your lovely post (on your newsletter actually) and I loved it. Such a great reminder that everything starts with something small! Love to you too… and happy new year!
You had me at the first photo! 😀
So striking, right? 🙂
I saw the photo first and thought I saw sea creatures, then thought I’d lost my mind. Those are some beautiful beans! How do they taste? I do love beans, I’m just wondering.
Heh. Didn’t mean to make you question your sanity. 😉 After I bought the beans, I showed a friend and he asked, “Wait… how did they do that?” (Of course I said, “They’re individually hand painted!” ;b )
I love beans too. I didn’t notice a particularly distinctive flavor about these, but they held their shape beautifully and were quite firm, like kidney beans.
I love colourful food. 🙂
Me too. 😀 And I love variety!
These beans are beautiful! Is the orange one a mutant killer whale?
Well spotted, Sherry! It’s a butterscotch bean, another heirloom variety. I bought those too (for my mom) but that one was just a rogue that made it among the orcas. 😉 Adventurous little one!