Black Turtle Soup

Donated to SSE in 1981 by bean collector John Withee of Lynnfield, Massachusetts and the Wanigan Associates. Withee acquired this variety from Goya Foods, Inc. A variety by this name has circulated in the North American seed trade since its formal introduction by Grant Thorburn & Co in 1832. This accession might be an example of that historic variety, which is referenced in “The Vegetables of New York” by U.P. Hedrick published by the New York State Agricultural Experiment Station in 1928. Hedrick offered the theory that the variety originated in the northeastern part of South America or Chile and was widely distributed based on its many synonyms, presumably taken to Europe by the Spaniards and was listed by an Italian botanist in 1806. Speculations on the origin of the name ‘Turtle Soup’ relate to a popular American dish in the 19th century named turtle soup. When prepared properly, the dry beans reportedly have a similar flavor.