Rancho Gordo has led the revival of interest in Heirloom Beans, with a focus on products indigenous to the New World, or The Americas.

Rancho Gordo

Nordic Naturals

Hudson Valley Seed Company

1 lb. We ignored lentils for years, but we will ignore them no longer! Small, gentle, quick-cooking lentils with a luxurious flavor and texture. Hearty, small ebony lentils that resemble caviar but have a unique lentil taste and texture. The skins almost melt away. Versatile and indulgent, they are less common than brown or green lentils and are at home in both rustic dishes and elegant meals. They're one of the earliest cultivated crops and have been a source of sustenance for humans for thousands of years. 

Black Caviar Lentils

Rancho Gordo's dried hominy made from heirloom corn by soaking in mineral lime then removing the skin that gives an added flavor and the vitamin Niacin, making this ancient grain healthier and nutritious than regular corn. More Details Product of California Comes in a 1lb bag Tasting Suggestions Use cooked hominy to make pozole Delicious in salads, soups, stews Toss with beans or bitter greens Leftovers can be pureed for hominy grits How to cook Hominy Sort and rinse hominy. Soak for 8 hours in cold water, then drain. Add to a large pot with 1 roughly chopped onion and cover with 2 inches of fresh water. Bring to a hard boil over high heat for 5 minutes, then reduce to a gentle simmer. Cook hominy uncovered until chewy and tender but not chalky, approximately 2 hours. Hominy usually flowers, like popcorn, when finished.

White Corn Posole - Prepared Hominy

1lb. Freshly harvested and California-grown with a rich, nutty flavor. Native to the Americas, wild rice has too long been stuck on the holiday table or teamed with salmon and little else. Wild rice is not a true "rice" but an "aquatic seed." It has a chewy texture and distinct nutty flavor. It goes with beans or sauteed vegetables and while it may take awhile to cook (about an hour), the results are delicious.

California Wild Rice

1lb. Enormous, thick-skinned runner beans with a surprisingly creamy interior. One of Rancho's all-time best sellers, it's a versatile giant that works in all kinds of cuisines. Royal Corona beans can replace any white bean, but be prepared to be astounded by how big they are when cooked. A true pantry staple! Total bean cook time can range from 1 to 3 hours. Salt when the beans start to soften. A pre-soak of 2 to 6 hours will lessen the cooking time.

Royal Corona Beans

1 lb. From heirloom Italian seeds, this thin-skinned cannellini is named after Italian cooking hero, Marcella Hazan. A delicate tribute to a mighty force of nature. Marcella beans are grown in California from Italian Sorana seedstock. Sorana is a cannellini bean with incredibly thin skin and when cooked properly, an indulgent creamy texture. You can use them in your kitchen as you would any small white, European-style bean, but with a beautiful ingredient like this, simple is often better.

Marcella Beans

1lb. Large, new-crop, fast cooking Lima beans with classic Lima bean taste and melt-in-your-mouth texture. Chances are, your dear old mom overcooked them. The origin of Lima beans is thought to be Peru (hence the name Lima). White lima beans are popular in the Southern U.S., where the smaller varieties are known as "butter beans." Total bean cook time can range from 1 to 3 hours. Salt when the beans start to soften. A pre-soak of 2 to 6 hours will lessen the cooking time.

Large White Lima Beans

1lb. The classic pinto bean: soft, creamy, and versatile, these Pintos cook quickly. The poor pinto doesn't get the respect it deserves. With all of its glamorous cousins hanging around, it's hard to grab a little of the spotlight, until someone wisely cooks them up. If you've been served supermarket pintos all your life, you are in for a pleasant surprise. There are some variations in color, from the classic tan to yellow and even red. Total bean cook time can range from 1 to 3 hours. Salt when the beans start to soften. A pre-soak of 2 to 6 hours will lessen the cooking time.

Pinto Beans

1lb. Salt and butter's best friend. Nearly hull-less and 100% delicious, this rare and wonderful popcorn pops up as white as snow and delivers a flavor like no other! The perfect contrast to bland commodity popcorn and its cardboard texture. Best prepared the traditional way with a pan, a lid and some oil, but you'll get fine results in an air-popper (but with a lower yield of fully popped corn). 

Crimson Popping Corn

1lb. These small, dense orbs produce a beefy bean broth. This lovable heirloom is loaded with California history. Most of us thought the Santa Maria "Pinks" were brought in with the migrant citrus workers of the 1950s (who also introduced us to the tri-tip) but now there's some thought that it was a crop during the Mission era. An essential part of California cuisine, they are the heart of a tri-tip barbecue and yet they're perfectly at home in meatless meals. Santa Maria Pinquitos have a superior pot liquor and stay somewhat firm. Ideal for chili, barbecues, or for borrachos (or drunken beans). Don't forget them for salads! Total bean cook time can range from 1 to 3 hours. Salt when the beans start to soften. A pre-soak of 2 to 6 hours will lessen the cooking time.