Description
The Alubia de la Bañeza-León PGI is a dry bean separated from pod belonging to the Canela, Plancheta, Riñon and Pinta local varieties, from the species Phaseolus vulgaris L., of the Papilionaceae family.
Production Area
The production area of Alubia de la Bañeza-León PGI includes 98 municipal areas in the district of León, belonging to the agricultural districts of Astorga, El Páramo, Esla-Campos, La Bañeza, La Cabrera and Tierras de León, and 20 municipal areas in the Benavente-Los Valles district, in the province of Zamora.
Production Method
Cropping takes place in cycles of maximum two years with seeds that are accurately selected with the supervision of the control organisation and subject to anti-aphid treatments. Sowing takes place in spring with a maximum density of 190,000 plants per hectare, whilst harvesting is made in August, September and October. After harvesting, the beans are stored in appropriate rooms without mixing them with seeds from different lots. Later the seeds are washed in treatment systems where they are subject to an anti-aphid treatment, winnowing and weighing and, after the elimination of the imperfect beans, they are treated by means of a specific measuring device. After these operations, the beans undergo a final quality control and then they are packed and labelled.
Appearance and Flavour
The four varieties of Alubia de la Bañeza-León PGI are different due to morphologic and physical-chemical features. The Canela has the shape of a long kidney and a uniform cinnamon colour, the weight of 100 seeds spans from 50 to 62 gr. After cooking, the beans are very smooth and delicate, soft inside and slightly creamy with a low granularity and a medium floury consistency. The Plancheta is oval in shape and white in colour, with a weight of 100 seeds between 44 and 52 gr. After cooking, the peel is smooth and very soft, whilst the pulp is very soft and creamy, with a low granularity and a slightly floury consistency. The Pinta has a round shape and a cinnamon colour with garnet red spots, and the weight of 100 seeds amounts from 51 to 67 gr. The seeds, when cooked, have a smooth and soft peel, soft and creamy pulp with a low granularity and a medium floury consistency. Finally, the Riñon Menudo has an oval-kidney shape and is white in colour with veins. The weight of 100 seeds amounts to between 41 and 57 gr. The seeds, when cooked, have a very smooth and medium hard peel, and a soft and medium creamy pulp with a low granularity and a medium floury consistency.
History
The origins of Alubia de la Bañeza-León PGI goes back to the 16th century, as documented by the first trade exchanges of beans on the famous markets of Medina del Campo. There is evidence of this market, which was held every Saturday in La Bañeza, in the land registry of Ensenada of 1752; while other mentions can be found in the Diccionario geográfico, estadístico e histórico de España y sus posesiones de ultramar of 1846-1850 by Pascual Madoz, and also in the Anuario General de España of 1912 by Bailly-Baillière. Alubia de la Bañeza-León PGI was included in the official food catalogues like the Inventario Español de Productos Tradicionales of 1996 financed by the European Commission, and in the Guide of quality foods of the province of León, called León al Gusto. Its fame is also testified by a museum of bean located in La Bañeza and by the Gastronomic brotherhood of Alubia de la Bañeza-León.
Gastronomy
Alubia de la Bañeza-León PGI has to be stored in a fresh and dry place. It must be consumed after cooking, and the beans have to be soaked from the precedent night until their use. They are a fundamental ingredient of the dishes from local tradition like Alubias a la Bañezana. Plus, this product is perfect with many recipes including some dishes from the modern and most sophisticated cuisine.
Marketing
The product is sold as Alubia de la Bañeza-León PGI, in the Canela, Plancheta, Pinta and Riñón menudo varieties, all from Extra category. It sold packed in polyethylene, cloth or paper cases.
Distinctive Features
The peculiar features of Alubia de la Bañeza-León PGI are due to the climatic and morphologic characteristics of the production area, in addition to the cropping and treatment practises which have been passed on from generation to generation and allow selecting the best quality beans for sowing.
