Peanut Beans
In parts of East Tennessee - especially Hawkins and Grainger Counties - "peanut beans" are a local heirloom bush bean known for their small, peanut-colored seeds and tough, stringy pods that turn pink-to-red as they ripen. Properly strung and pressure cooked with fatback, they’re considered one of the best-tasting green beans you can eat.
My Granny always had peanut beans going on the stove, and as many canned as you'd ever want. If they're done right, you won't find a tastier bean. Pronunciation
Meaning & Usage
- Heirloom Bush Bean Variety (noun)
Got your peanut beans in yet?Yep - three rows out by the shed. We’ll be eatin’ good come fall.Origin
Named for the dark brown, peanut-colored seeds - and their rich, hearty flavor - this bean is a true East Tennessee heirloom. The tradition of growing, saving, and swapping peanut bean seed has been passed down through families in Hawkins and Grainger Counties for generations.
Notes
Peanut beans are almost unknown outside their home counties, but within that small region they’re a point of pride. They’re usually grown in home gardens, cooked for family gatherings, and rarely sold in stores. Outsiders may find them chewy, but locals say that’s part of their character.
Say It Like a Southerner
Say "peanut" just like the nut, with a quick "pea" and soft "nut." Follow with "beans," keeping it short. In local speech, you might hear it as "pee-nit beans" or "pee-nuh beans," with the middle syllable almost swallowed.