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Poljak Beans from the Growers from Trebinje

The Petrovo Polje cooperative groups around 50 growers who produce wine, cheese and vegetables, beans in particular in the area south of Trebinje, along the Croatian border. At least filmfans will recall the scenic surroundings of Trebinje from the Karl May film adaptations (important location for “Shatterhand”, 1964; “Winnetou and Shatterhand in the Valley of Death”, 1968, etc.).
The Poljak bean is a variously colored dwarf variety with a wrinkly skin. It is found throughout the Balkans, with some morphological and color variations, but cultivation is centered in the hot, dry lands of Dalmatia and Herzegovina where it was widespread until 20 years ago. It’s a hardly plant and doesn’t need fertilization or irrigation. The cooperative’s cheese is called kripavac and is made with unpasteurized sheep’s milk, which comes either from the Pramenka breed or from mixed herds; the name derives from the noise the cheese makes when eaten.
The Growers of the Poljak Bean from Trebinje are member of the Terra Madre network with 1.600 small Food Communities in 150 countries which is supported by the Slow Food Foundation for Biodiversity.

Production area
Trebinje, Republic of Srpska

Community coordinator
Jovo Runjevac
tel. ++387 (0)59 257 103