An offshoot of the wild bean species, the borlotti bean is a close relative of the kidney bean, or Phaseolus vulgaris. Unlike the smooth, single color of the kidney bean, the borlotti bean (also often called cranberry bean), is a speckled sample sporting pink, red, brown, and beige colors.

Borlotti beans go by many names, including cranberry beans, Roman beans, saluggia beans and rosecoco beans. But they all refer to the same spotted legume with a creamy texture and sweet, nutty flavor.

According to the FAO, there are more than 40,000 varieties worldwide: here we list the most well-known ones, some extremely easy to find so you can get started right away. 1. Borlotti Beans. Let's start with one of the best-known types, namely borlotti beans (Phaseolus vulgaris).

Borlotti beans, also known as cranberry beans, are a type of legume that originated in Mexico and have been cultivated for centuries. These medium-sized beans are cream-colored with red specks and a mild, nutty flavor.