Jembo Polish Pole Bean, Polish Heirloom

The history of the Jembo Polish is a rarely documented bean but turns up in heirloom circles, specifically through the members only exchange of the Seed Savers Exchange (SSE).

• The Arrival - unknown The variety is thought to be brought to the United States from Poland by a Polish immigrant. While "Jembo" is the name recorded, Ibelieve it was a phonetic Americanization of a family name or a variation of the word "Jumbo," referring to the bean’s gargantuan size.
• The Strain: While some variants of Jembo Polish are tan, this Purple and White selection is a distinct heirloom treasure. It represents the "Painted Bean" tradition of Eastern Europe, where high-contrast, bicolor seeds were selected for their beauty and their rich, creamy flavor. 

This isn't just a bean; it's a garden showpiece.

• The Seed: The dry seeds are massive, kidney-shaped, and look as if they’ve been hand-painted with vivid royal purple (or deep maroon) and creamy white splashes.
• The Pod: On the vine, you’ll find heavy, flat, green pods that can grow up to 6-8 inches long. It is not a snap bean so resist the urge in picking. 
• The Flavor Profile: As a dry bean, it possesses a rich, nutty flavor and a smooth texture that holds up perfectly in slow-cooked stews and traditional Polish recipes.

The Jembo Polish is known for vigor, meaning it is exceptionally hardy and productive.

"We chose the Jembo Polish for Firefly Farm because it represents the resilience of the gardening spirit. This bean survived a journey across the Atlantic in the 1930s and was kept alive through the Great Depression and decades of change. When you plant these, you are continuing a century-old tradition of stewardship. Plus Polish blood runs through our veins"

Due to the sheer weight of the pods and the vigor of the vines, we recommend a sturdy cattle panel trellis or a heavy-duty tripod. At the end of the season to dry—the reveal of the purple and white seeds inside is the highlight of the harvest!