Baer's Best Beans & Lentils

Charley and Carol Baer have operated Baer's Best for the better part of three decades, specializing in heirloom bean varieties that have grown here in the Northeast for centuries. Hand sorted for the highest quality, these locally grown beans are fresher than any dried bean you'll find in supermarkets and, much like our spices, that freshness makes a big difference in their color, flavor and texture.

Chili Bean Mix  A blend of NY-grown light red kidney beans with Solider and Jacob's Cattle beans, both New England heirlooms dating back centuries. Their smooth but firm texture holds up well to long cooking and their mild flavor is a good canvas for well-spiced dishes.
Net Wt. 1lb

French Lentils  Also called lentilles du Puy because they were originally grown in the Puy region of France. They have a robust peppery flavor and retain their shape when cooked, making them ideal for non-soup applications like a side or salad.
Net Wt. 1lb

Black Turtle  Black beans are popular for their slightly sweet earthy flavor and rich texture. Their dark skin is also loaded with more antioxidants than any other bean! They make an excellent base in a veggie burger, and their firm texture holds up well in classics like black bean soup or stew.
Net Wt. 1lb

Jacob's Cattle  Jacob’s Cattle are a beloved New England heirloom that date back long before the Colonial era. White with beautiful magenta spots, they are kidney shaped but more plump. They are a classic choice for New England baked beans from the days before New England varieties were abandoned for uniform fields of Navy beans grown for the canning industry. There are conflicting stories regarding the origin of this bean, but many attribute its cultivation to the Passamaquoddy tribe. One story claims they were a gift from Maine's Passamaquoddy people to the family of Joseph Clark when he was born in Lubec, Maine.
Net Wt. 1lb

Heirloom Bean Soup Mix  A mix of varieties selected to add color, texture and flavor to a warming bowl of bean soup. Once cooked, some beans will stay intact while others will become creamy to thicken and flavor the broth. The mix varies seasonally but typically includes 10-20 varieties of beans. Can also be used to make a side or casserole!
Net Wt. 1lb

Yellow Eye  White with a speckled yellow "eye," the classic Maine-type Yellow Eye has a rich, very savory flavor and is exceptionally rich for a white bean. A popular heirloom variety, they were originally cultivated by Indigenous peoples and are still used for the traditional dish Hulled Corn Soup. Use for traditional baked beans or as an all-purpose bean in soups, salads and side dishes. 
Net Wt. 1lb