Hutterite beans

happydog · January 19, 2016

For years I avoided growing them because Carol Deppe condemned them as "utterly bland." Then I happened to buy some from Rancho Gordo and found they tasted absolutely delicious. They turned into a delectable, creamy soup that instantly became my new favorite comfort food.

I bought some Hutterite seed and planted it, but they didn't taste the same as the Rancho Gordo beans. They were indeed, utterly bland. I tried again the following year with seeds from a different seller. Again they were disappointing.

So I'm wondering if the difference is either a) the commercial variety has lost it's flavor somewhere along the way, or b) regional differences in soil. Maybe my soil doesn't have some essential component that Rancho Gordo's has, and that component affects the flavor. Naturally Rancho Gordo doesn't sell them anymore, or I'd try planting theirs.

What do you think? I'm in NC, a long way from wherever RG grows their beans.

Fred Hempel · January 19, 2016

I have had great luck planting Hutterite purchased from Seed Savers. But I live in California, and it might make a difference.

KarenO · January 19, 2016

It is hard not to be influenced by the opinions of garden guru's but in beans and anything else, taste is subjective and growing conditions vary so much that the only way you can know if you like any variety of anything is to try it yourself.
I never would have tried heirloom tomatoes here if I had listened to the garden gurus here who say they don't do well here.
They can and do grow well here.
KarenO

January 19, 2016	#1
happydog Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Appalachian Mountains NC Posts: 151	Hutterite beans For years I avoided growing them because Carol Deppe condemned them as "utterly bland." Then I happened to buy some from Rancho Gordo and found they tasted absolutely delicious. They turned into a delectable, creamy soup that instantly became my new favorite comfort food. I bought some Hutterite seed and planted it, but they didn't taste the same as the Rancho Gordo beans. They were indeed, utterly bland. I tried again the following year with seeds from a different seller. Again they were disappointing. So I'm wondering if the difference is either a) the commercial variety has lost it's flavor somewhere along the way, or b) regional differences in soil. Maybe my soil doesn't have some essential component that Rancho Gordo's has, and that component affects the flavor. Naturally Rancho Gordo doesn't sell them anymore, or I'd try planting theirs. What do you think? I'm in NC, a long way from wherever RG grows their beans.

January 19, 2016	#2
Fred Hempel Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Sunol, CA Posts: 2,723	I have had great luck planting Hutterite purchased from Seed Savers. But I live in California, and it might make a difference.

January 19, 2016	#3
KarenO Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Vancouver Island Posts: 5,931	It is hard not to be influenced by the opinions of garden guru's but in beans and anything else, taste is subjective and growing conditions vary so much that the only way you can know if you like any variety of anything is to try it yourself. I never would have tried heirloom tomatoes here if I had listened to the garden gurus here who say they don't do well here. They can and do grow well here. KarenO