Beans growing in my garden: Cherokee Trail of Tears black bean. It is obvious they are nearly ready to pick when the skin changes to a dark red color, almost like the color of blood, matching the name of the bean. There was suffering and death on that trail....



I cooked up a batch of beans that grew in my garden 4 years ago and they still taste good and have a good texture. Dry beans store well with no need for electricity. No refrigeration or canning is required for dry beans.