Northern Italy's most popular bean is also regarded as the Mediterranean's healthiest and most nutritious.

The Andolfo brothers have been raising and packaging southern Italy's best, preservative-free beans since 1946. Headquartered in Naples, this small, family-owned company exclusively sends us the best yield of their complete line of beans. A staple of the Mediterranean Diet, fresh Italian beans are a kitchen essential and can be prepared and enjoyed in countless recipes and styles.

Borlotti, which are named for their cranberry color, are used largely in soups, particularly northern Italy's famous Pasta e Fagioli. In her expansive book Fagioli, writer Judith Barrett lauds Fagioli for their high iron content and mentions that they are considered the best substitute for meat in Italy's rustic peasant fare.

These beans are best known for their creamy consistency.