Phaseolus coccineus - Known in the culinary world of France, Spain and Italy as the finest soup bean in existence. Although actually a type of white runner bean, it has a different texture and a much superior flavour. It is often picked small at about 10cm before the pods swell, offering wonderful flat green snap beans, however, if you let them grow up to 25cm the 5 or 6 seeds per pod develop a meaty texture and make a wonderful addition to soups and stews. Seed count - approx. 15.