Golden Wax Bean

Photo: flickr user Phil Romans

About

Golden Wax Bean are highly productive plants that produce clusters of 5 inch long somewhat flat yellow wax beans. Pod is fairly stringless and seeds are white with a purple eye. Golden wax beans have a good flavor, nice eaten fresh and for canning. A long time gardeners favorite.

Sow Golden Wax bean seed in a sunny location outdoors in late spring when all danger of frost has passed. Plant 1½" deep and 3" apart. Keep moderately moist during germination, which takes between 6 and12 days. Thin 2 to 3" apart when seedlings are 3" tall. You should be eating fresh beans in just 50 days. Remember to pick your beans often to promote a continual harvest until the first frost.

Information

Translations: Aukso Vaškas Bean, Ceara de Aur Bean, Zlatni Wax Bean, Bean Wax Golden, गोल्डन वैक्स बीन, Golden Bean Wax, Золотой воск Бин, Golden Bean Wax, ذهبية الشمع بقول, 골든 왁스 빈, Golden vosk Bean, Golden waks Bean, 金腊豆, Golden Bean Cera, Golden vosk Bean, Cera Golden Bean, הזהב בין השעווה, Златна Восак Бин, ゴールデンワックスビーン, Haricot jaune d'or, Golden Bean Wax, Golden Bean Cera, Золотий віск Бін, Златни Wax Бийн

Physical Description

Golden colored snap beans are smooth and waxy. The pods are narrow and show the plump silhouette of the beans within.

Colors: Yellow ranging from pale to bright gold

Tasting Notes

Flavors: sweet, buttery

Mouthfeel: Crunchy, Waxy

Food complements: Bacon, Garlic, Vinegar

Selecting and Buying

Peak: july, august, september

Choosing: Select beans that are firm but not leathery. They should be well shaped and free of rust spots or insect damage. Avoid particularly large beans as they are more likely to be tough.

Buying: During the height of the summer golden wax beans may be available in supermarkets. They are also easy to find at farmers' markets or roadside stands.

Procuring: These beans only require two months to begin production and can continue producing until they are killed by frost. That allows them to be grown in most temperate climates. They produce prolifically and repeatedly if they are picked frequently.

Preparation and Use

Golden wax beans can be lightly sauteed with bacon or pork until they are tender. They can also be cooked with olive oil, garlic, and other vegetables. Sometimes they are pickled with vinegar and spices.

Cleaning: Cut or snap both ends of the bean. Rinse the beans lightly in fresh water, taking care to rub off any visible dirt.

Conserving and Storing

Golden wax beans can be kept refrigerated for up to a week. After blanching they can be stored in a freezer or pressure canned for shelf stable storage. Canning with vinegar and spices is used to make pickled beans.

Author

Anonymous

Comments

Permalink James
February 21, 2012

I enjoyed your article as these beans are new to me. I have just discovered a GW packet of seeds purchased in the US with a 2009 date on which I shall grow in the UK 2012.