(Phaseolus acutifolius)
Tepary beans were first grown in the Southwestern United States and northern Mexico by the Hohokam over 1,200 years ago. Despite such an impressive ancient heritage, their popularity has not spread. Teparies are very versatile and can be eaten either fresh, shelled, or dry. Today, they are primarily cultivated by the peoples of the Sonoran Desert of northwest Mexico, southern Arizona, New Mexcio, and Guatemala.