Calypso Beans are a kidney bean hybrid. They grow on a bush-type bean plant that grows up to 15 inches (38 cm) tall.
There will be 4 to 5 beans per pod. The beans are small, 3/8 inch (1 cm) long, but plump. When young, the pods can be used as a green bean.
The black and white variety of Calypso Beans are the best known. The beans are half black, half white, with one or two black dots in the white area. There is also a red and white variety.
70 to 90 days from seed for harvest as a bean for drying.
Calypso Beans double in size when cooked, and have a smooth texture.
Cooking Tips
Simmer soaked beans for 30 minutes or until tender.
Cooking them in lots of water helps to preserve their coloration.
Substitutes
Any black beans, or any white beans, or a mixture of both, adjusting the cooking time accordingly for the substitute you have chosen.
Equivalents
1 cup dried beans = 2 cups cooked beans