Dragon Tongue Shelling Beans
Estimated Inventory, lb : 0
Description/Taste
Dragon Tongue Shelling beans are small in size, averaging 13 to 20 centimeters in length, and have a straight to slightly curved cylindrical shape with pointed tapered ends. The pods have a flattened appearance and a smooth and taut feel, tightly adhered to the beans encased within. Dragon Tongue Shelling bean pods ripen from green to pale yellow and are enveloped in dark purple streaks, striping, and mottling. The pods are stringless and easily opened, revealing 4 to 6 oval to kidney-shaped beans, also known as seeds. The beans are firm and faintly glossy, found in variegated shades of pale green, yellow, and purple, sometimes with a similar speckling as the pod’s exterior. Raw Dragon Tongue Shelling beans have a slightly starchy, crisp consistency. As the beans mature and dry out, they become hard, brown, and speckled. Dragon Tongue beans have two methods of consumption. When young, the pods and beans can be eaten together, providing a crisp, succulent texture and a grassy, sweet, and subtly nutty flavor. The variety can also be dried and harvested as a shelling bean, discarding the pod and only sourcing the beans. Once cooked, shelled beans become tender, soft, and starchy with a delicate, savory, and subtly sweet taste.
Seasons/Availability
Dragon Tongue Shelling beans are available in the mid-summer through early winter.
Current Facts
Dragon Tongue Shelling beans, botanically classified as Phaseolus vulgaris, are a colorful bush bean variety belonging to the Fabaceae family. The slender pods develop on upright, low-growing plants reaching 61 to 76 centimeters in height and are a favored variety for home gardens. Dragon Tongue beans are considered a dual-purpose legume and can be eaten as a fresh snap bean or shelled bean. When consumed fresh, the young pods are harvested approximately 55 to 60 days after sowing, and both the beans and pods are edible at this stage. Shelled beans are harvested 80 to 100 days after sowing, and the pods are left on the plant to dry and become tough. The beans inside the pods are later extracted and used as a culinary ingredient, discarding the dried pods. Dragon Tongue beans are favored for their compact plant size, high yields, disease resistance, and ability to be grown in containers. The pods can be consecutively harvested to extend the crop’s season and are typically snapped from the plant by hand. Dragon Tongue beans are a specialty cultivar that is not commonly found in commercial markets. The striped pods are primarily seen in farmers’ markets and through wholesalers. Dragon Tongue beans are also grown as a multi-purpose plant in home gardens. When in season, Dragon Tongue beans are sought after by chefs and home cooks as a fresh or cooked culinary ingredient.
Nutritional Value
Dragon Tongue beans have not been extensively studied for their nutritional properties. Some sources note that the variety may contain some fiber to stimulate and regulate the digestive tract and manganese and folate to help the body produce energy, genetic material, and red blood cells. Beans are also a source of vitamins A, C, and K to strengthen the immune system, maintain organ health, and aid in faster wound healing. Other nutrients include potassium to balance fluid levels and replenish electrolytes in the body, iron to develop the protein hemoglobin for oxygen transport through the bloodstream, and calcium to support bones and teeth.
Applications
Dragon Tongue Shelling beans have a subtly sweet, grassy, and nutty flavor suited for fresh and cooked preparations. The variety is edible in its young stage and also its mature, dried stage. When young, Dragon Tongue Shelling beans can be consumed like other fresh snap beans. The pods and beans are edible and are popularly eaten out of hand. Young Dragon Tongue beans are also sliced and tossed into salads, mixed with other bean cultivars, and coated in a vinaigrette as a side dish, blended into dips, or served on crudité plates. Chefs enjoy using Dragon Tongue beans raw to showcase their distinct coloring. Once cooked, the pods lose their purple hues and develop an overall yellow appearance. Young Dragon Tongue Shelling beans can also be added to cooked preparations. They are blanched and served as a side to meat main dishes, sauteed in garlic, caramelized onions, and other aromatics, or stir-fried with vegetables. The variety shines when served with rich ingredients like butter and aged cheeses and is also coated in thick sauces as a creamy dish. In addition to utilizing the variety young, Dragon Tongue beans can be dried into shelling beans. These beans can be hydrated and incorporated into soups, stews, and curries. They can also be added to pasta dishes, chilled into bean salads, mixed into grains, or pureed into sauces. Dragon Tongue Shelling beans pair well with herbs such as mint, basil, dill, and oregano, meats including pork, poultry, and beef, chickpeas, leeks, red peppers, and tomatoes. Whole, unwashed fresh pods will keep for a few days in the refrigerator, but they are recommended to be immediately consumed for the best flavor and texture. Dragon Tongue Shelling beans can also be dried for extended use in a sealed container at room temperature where they will keep for several months.
Ethnic/Cultural Info
Dragon Tongue Shelling beans are sold under several commercial names in markets worldwide. The variety’s dragon moniker was derived from the pod's flat, tapered, and speckled appearance. It is said the beans were given their whimsical descriptor as the pods resemble a dragon’s tongue, a creature featured in mythology worldwide. It is unknown who first developed the dragon marketing name, but the name stuck with the variety due to its memorable nature. Dragon Tongue Shelling beans are also known as Dragon Langerie, Merveille de Piemonte in French, and Meraviglia del Piemonte in Italian. These varying names indicate the variety’s expanded presence as a specialty bean and home garden plant throughout Europe, possibly referencing the Piedmont region of northwestern Italy.
Geography/History
Dragon Tongue Shelling beans are a variety of Phaseolus vulgaris with alleged origins in Europe. Phaseolus vulgaris, in general, is a large species native to the Americas and was introduced to Europe through Spanish and Portuguese explorers throughout the late 15th and 16th centuries. After its introduction, cultivation spread throughout Europe, and new varieties were developed over time. Much of Dragon Tongue Shelling bean’s history is unknown, but some sources trace the variety to the Netherlands and noted it arose from breeding sometime during the 18th or 19th century. Later, the variety was introduced to other European regions and valued for its distinct coloring and versatility. It also became a popular variety sold through online seed catalogs for home gardens. Today, Dragon Tongue Shelling beans are an heirloom varietal primarily produced by specialty growers and home gardeners worldwide. The variety is sold through farmer’s markets, wholesalers, and high-end produce stores.
Recipe Ideas
Recipes that include Dragon Tongue Shelling Beans. One
is easiest, three is harder.| Seasoned to Taste |
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Summer Succotash with Bacon and Garlic Croutons |
