Dragon Beans

DAYS TO SPROUT

DAYS TO
SPROUT

10-14

MATURES IN

MATURES
IN

55-70

TASTE IT FOR

TASTE IT
FOR

N/A

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Care & Harvest

🌱 Germination: Bean seeds require a well-drained environment, so we recommend germinating them off of your Gardyn. To do so, dunk the yCube in water up to the top of the plastic and soak for 5 minutes. Then, place it in a Nursery without adding any more water, and add the lid. If you already have other yCubes or Microgreens germinating with water in your Nursery, keep your soaked Beans yCube separate.

💡Temperature: Prefers warmer temperatures (70-90°F).

🐝 Pollination: White, pink, and purple flowers develop 4-6 weeks after sprouting. When they appear, help the plant with pollination by gently shaking the plant, or gently swirl the inside of blossoms with your finger or a small brush.

⭕ Support: Beans require support as they mature. We recommend using our Plant Belts to direct the vine up your Gardyn’s columns and support the plant’s many fruits.

✂️ Pruning: These beans require minimal pruning. Snip away yellow or brown leaves if they appear. Check the roots monthly and trim any that are brown or extending past the yPod.

🔎 Plant Health: Aphids and thrips are common pests, but you can use our prevention tricks to keep them at bay!

🫘 Harvest: Wait to harvest pods until they are flat, about 6 inches long, and pale yellow in color with purple streaks. To harvest, snip the pods at their individual stems, usually 1-2 weeks after flowering. Harvest regularly to encourage a new pod set to grow.

Quick Facts

ORIGIN

This heirloom bean variety was first cultivated around the turn of the century in the Netherlands. Also referred to as “Dragon Tongue” or “Dragon Langerie” beans, this legume has it all: good looks, great flavor, and a bountiful, versatile harvest!

QUALITIES

This wax-type bush bean has creamy, stringless pods that develop purple variegations when ready to harvest. The beans reach 6 inches in length or more and are crunchy with a sweet, nutty flavor. Dragon Beans are packed with protein and fiber while also offering calcium, potassium, iron, folate, and manganese, plus vitamins A, C, and K.

USE

When harvested young, no shelling is required, and the pods are completely edible. Dragon Beans are best raw or cooked for short periods of time to maintain their crunchy texture. To maintain their vibrant purple color, enjoy beans raw in a salad or with dips as their color fades with cooking.

Harvest to Plate Recipe

How To Cook Dragon Beans

Dragon Tongue Bean Salad Recipe – Cooking on the Weekends

INGREDIENTS

For the dressing

2 tablespoons sherry vinegar
1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
2 teaspoons honey
1½ teaspoons chili paste
¼ teaspoon salt
a few turns of freshly ground black pepper
3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil

For the salad

1 pound Dragon Tongue beans, washed and dried, root ends trimmed
2 cups loosely packed mixed micro greens, washed and dried
a few red Thai chile peppers for garnish and added heat if desired

INSTRUCTIONS

For the dressing

Add the vinegar, mustard, honey, chili paste, salt and pepper to a small bowl. Whisk until smooth. Gradually add the oil while still whisking. Once it’s smooth, set aside.

For the salad

Prepare a large mixing bowl with ice water and set it aside.
Place a steamer rack into a pot with the water level just below it. Over high heat, bring the water to a boil and then add the beans to the rack, sprinkle lightly with salt and cover. Steam just until they’re about 50% more tender, about 3 minutes.
Immediately drain and add the beans to the bowl of ice water — this will help preserve any bits of purple still remaining. Let them sit in the ice water until they’re cold, then drain, dry them, and add them to a large mixing bowl.
Toss the beans with the micro greens and the dressing.
Wash, dry, and slice the red chile peppers in half for garnish (and added heat) if desired.
Serve!