Little Red Bean

Kleine Rode Boon (Reade Krobbe)

The name reade krobbe translates to “little red one” or “little red bean” in English. This bean variety is found in the northern parts of the Frisian forests. A handful of growers in the Trynwâlden area produce the beans on a very small scale. There the bean is sometimes also called krûpke. The little red is a hearty bean that can withstand cold, wet and windy weather. It is a small bean, just as the name suggests, and although it is relatively unknown, its appearance is unmistakable: red with golden spots.   This variety has a surprisingly spicy flavour and a colour that changes to light brown once cooked. However, young beans can be eaten as string beans. Once dried, the little red needs soaking for 8 to 24 hours before cooking. When boiled, the bean keeps its shape better than other forest beans, which gives a different result in bean-based recipes. The bean is renowned for its spicier flavour, and according to recent research, it contains more antioxidants than white or yellow beans because of components that give it its red colour.   The reade krobbe has a long history among people in the local countryside. This variety was originally eaten by people doing hard physical labour. Today though, changes in lifestyle and diets have led to a decline in the cultivation and use of the bean. Younger generations prefer foods that are faster to prepare than beans, with their long soaking and cooking time. Today, just a handful of growers in the Trynwâlden area produce and sell the beans on a very small scale.