Fasola Piękny Jaś z Doliny Dunajca
The first information about the Piękny Jaś z Doliny Dunajca bean can be found in the nineteenth century. Its cultivation developed due to the combination of a specific set of natural factors (i.e. climate and soil) with the skills of local producers. The area of its cultivation is limited to 11 municipalities in the Dunajec river valley.
The plantations of the bean Piękny Jaś z Doliny Dunajca are located at a relatively low level, in order to protect the fields from the wind. Moreover, the mud soils on which the legume grows are very favorable due to the high magnesium content (12,2-15 mg per 100 g of soil). However, its cultivation is time-consuming; as for example all the weeds have to be pulled by hand.
The seeds are considered to be one of the largest within the runner bean family. The mass of one thousand seeds ranges from 1100 to 1500 g. They are characterized by their uniform smooth kidney shape laterally flattened. They are white in color and highly appreciated for their delicate, mild and slightly sweet taste.
The combination of elements like the limited cultivation area, the particular magnesium content and its physical characteristics make the bean Piękny Jaś z Doliny Dunajca a unique legume of high quality. However, due to the changing environment, which influences the soil, key elements guaranteeing the quality and specificity of the bean, as well as the labor-intensive cultivation, Piękny Jaś z Doliny Dunajca is at potential risk of extinction.
The Piękny Jaś bean is used for different types of preparation: soups, pâté, dumplings, pies, cakes, bean sausages and vodka.
