Proper tasting runner beans

[Bm1]

Once in a blue moon I have bought a bag of sliced runner beans from a supermarket and to describe “that taste” is difficult but they were so moreish, that I just wanted to eat a whole plate of them if you know what I’m trying to say? I have since wasted a couple of years trying to reproduce that flavour, growing several varieties of runner bean but haven’t been able to peproduce that taste! Does anyone know of “that taste” and what gives it that taste or is it variety specific please? Any advice will be greatly appreciated

[Thelma Sanders]

Scarlet Emperor and Czar are the old standard runner beans, that my Dad always used to grow.
In recent years the breeders have been crossing 'proper' runners with climbing French beans to make the pods more tender, but I do think that improvement resulted in less of the runner bean taste.

[Bm1]

Thanks Thelma, I grew firestorm, white lady, polestar, scarlet emperor, enorma and galaxy last year, they tasted very similar but didn’t have that moreish taste I had experienced from the Marks and Spencer’s pack that I last bought! I wish I had kept the wrapper/info now, it might have helped with this enquiry!

[Greenleaves]

Chances are the shop purchased ones were from overseas

[veggiechicken]

Hi Bm1 and welcome.
I'd assumed that the sliced runner beans were frozen so was going to suggest that it was the way they were processed. Do they really sell ready sliced fresh beans?
I live a sheltered life!!

[Bren In Pots]

I grow Scarlet emperor and pick them when they're fairly small about 5 to 6 inch long they taste good to me.

[Bm1]

Hi Bm1 and welcome.
I'd assumed that the sliced runner beans were frozen so was going to suggest that it was the way they were processed. Do they really sell ready sliced fresh beans?
I live a sheltered life!!

They were fresh sliced beans!