Puype DeCaigny Belgian

An aggressive climber that shoots up the trellis very quickly but puts on very little foliage, except at the very top. Early maturing, flat, green bean. Not a bad flavor but rather dry and not very sweet. Subtle grassy/earthy flavor. Not stringy. 4-5 inches long. Moderately productive in 2020 season at Heritage Farm. 5-8 seeds per pod. Small, oval-shaped white bean. The Puype DeCaigny (PY-pee de-CAY-nee) Belgian beans are a family heirloom grown by at least three generations of Betty Conley’s family in Minnesota. Betty started growing the beans in 2010, having received seeds from her older sister Mary. The beans were passed down to Mary by their mother Martha (1911-1999) who received them from her mother Emelie (1887-1974). The story Betty was told is that grandmother Emelie had the seeds with her when she first came to America in 1909 from Belgium. The family lived primarily in or near Duluth, MN and Betty has been eating and enjoying these beans as far back as she can remember. They have such a tasty and distinct flavor that she just needs to cook them in a saucepan with a little water and salt to taste. At the time Betty donated this variety to SSE in 2018, she and her sister were the only persons growing the beans and wanted to share them so that they could be preserved. SSE Accession # 133685