The Sorana Bean is a Protected Geographical Indication (IGP) on the national list approved by the Ministry of Agriculture And Forestry, the requirements of which are regulated by the production discipline of the Tuscany Region.

Features

The Sorana Bean is a climbing legume, belonging to the botanical species Phaseolus vulgaris L, which often exceeds 5 meters in height.
The seed is derived from the production of the first three stages of the plant on site (there are examples of seeds reproduced for over a century); As a result of this behaviour, a population adapted to the environment (climate and local land) has been created, which geneticists call an ecotype.

The main external characteristics of the dry grain, are as follows:
– inconsistent or poorly consistent integument, which is not lost during cooking;
– milky white color, with light pearly veins; or red, with streaks of more intense color.
– crushed shape, almost flat (locally called “piattellino”), much smaller and different from the common cannellino for white; or almost cylindrical, with a more consistent integument, for red.

Cultivation

The environmental and culture conditions of the Sorana Bean must be those traditional and traditional characteristics of the area, however designed to give the product the specific characteristics of typicality.
The cultivation environment consisting of the western and eastern slopes and the bridge pescia rod is characterized by the presence of numerous streams. The climate of the area is influenced by the exposure of the soil and a significant percentage of air moisture.
The soils of the area identified, sandy, with the exclusion of those with structural prevalence of the clay fraction, are therefore to be considered suitable. In addition, such soils must be easily irrigated with surface and groundwater in the Pontito Fish catchment.

The bottom fertilization is predominantly organic, as is the cover. Quantities vary in relation to the company’s availability of organic fertilizer.

The sowing, after proper mechanical or manual processing of the soil, must be carried out with seed derived from the local population.
The use of chemical herbicides is prohibited.

Harvesting is usually done by hand from the plant, at the time of the near-de-scenza of the pod valves. To complete the drying the grain is kept exposed to the sun for 3-4 days, after which it is selected, always manually, eliminating the small and malformed seeds. If the product is not immediately packaged, it must be stored in glass, wood or plastic food containers, with the addition of pepper in grains or valerian roots, and possibly bay leaves, to avoid the spread and development of insects, especially ton (Acanthoscelides obtectus).

Storage can also be carried out at a temperature below 0C or vacuum. That is, through the use of preservative products in accordance with the law, indicated by the Local Health Authority.
The maximum production of dried grain for every 1,000 square meters cultivated, should not exceed 200 kilograms.

The product obtained, in the state of dried grain, selected, should consist of white or red beans.
The consumer product can be presented with the addition of pepper in grains, or valerian roots, and possibly bay leaves.

The Sorana Bean is packaged for commercial entry in glass containers or plastic bags for food, weight and varying sizes in relation to market demands. The containers must bear a mark with the sorana Bean logo and inscription.
Packages must comply with the current legal rules: in particular, each type of package must include the indications on the vintage of production and the cut-off date for consumption. Each package must be properly sealed.