Beans have been a staple in the human diet for many generations and across almost all cultures, but there is one bean more delicious and decadent than all the rest: the heirloom bean. At least, that’s the view of today’s guest, Steve Sando, the food author and founder of Rancho Gordo, a seed-saving bean production company that provides professional and home chefs with heirloom beans that would otherwise have been lost to history. To start, Steve describes heirloom beans in detail and how they differ from other commercially sold beans. Then, he explains Rancho Gordo’s bean production process, the differences between canned and dry beans, the importance of taste in Rancho Gordo’s products, and why many commercial farmers choose not to work with heirloom beans. We also discuss the agricultural term “cultivated for people” before diving into the wondrous versatility of beans and the many ways to cook them, the types of guests that Rancho Gordon welcomes to its kitchen, how a diabetes diagnosis saved Steve’s relationship with food and bred his love for beans, and so much more! Enjoy. 

Key Points From This Episode:

• Steve describes heirloom beans and how they differ from other commercial beans. 
• Who Rancho Gordo works with and how they grow their beans. 
• How Steve prepares beans for cooking and the difference between canned and dry beans. 
• Why he prioritized taste above all else when launching Rancho Gordo. 
• Reasons that many commercial farmers don’t consider farming heirloom beans. 
• How and why Rancho Gordo branched out into selling grains and spices. 
• Steve breaks down the agricultural term “cultivated for people” as opposed to wild.
• The versatility of beans and how our guest would encourage people to try new foods. 
• Various ways of cooking beans and Steve’s favorite item in Rancho Gordo’s catalog.  
• Upcoming projects that he is most excited about.
• The guests he welcomes to Rando Gordo’s kitchen. 
• How Steve’s diabetes diagnosis paved the way for a healthier relationship with food. 
• His exercise routine: how and why he developed it. 

Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:

Steve Sando on LinkedIn

Steve Sando on X

Steve Sando on Instagram 

Steve Sando Books on Amazon

Rancho Gordo  

Saveur

Bon Appétit 

Food and Wine  

Hollywood Farmers Market 

On Food and Cooking 

Julia Newberry on LinkedIn 

Deborah Madison Books on Amazon 

Edible Communities

PrimaFoodie 

PrimaFoodie on Instagram

PrimaFoodie on Facebook

PrimaFoodie on Pinterest

PrimaFoodie on YouTube

PrimaFoodie Email