Borlotto Lingua Di Fuoco Rosso

Family: Fabaceae Legume

Savory, earthy-sweet flavor blooms from Borlotto Lingua Di Fuoco Rosso’s striking mottled seeds—warm rose-red streaks over a creamy ground that look almost lit from within.

Expect a tender, creamy bite with a pleasantly firm skin, ideal for hearty dry-bean dishes where the beans hold their shape beautifully. Grow this classic Italian heirloom for reliable performance and a pantry-worthy harvest that feels as beautiful as it is satisfying.

Light: Full SunMaturity: 95 DaysHabit: Bush

Botanical illustration of Borlotto Lingua Di Fuoco Rosso

Planting schedules and alerts are optimized for Columbus (Zone 6b).

Crop Dates

Milestone	Date
Start Indoors	Direct Sow
Last Frost	Apr 25th
Transplant / Sow Outdoors	Apr 25th
Harvest Begins	Jul 29th
Harvest Ends	Oct 16th

Crop Details

Trait	Value
Days to Maturity	95
Sun Requirements	Full Sun
Growth Habit	Bush
Support Needed	None
Planting Depth	Normal
Germination Temp (°F)	70
Min Soil Temp (°F)	60
Min Night Temp (°F)	50
Harden Off (days)	Not Required

Culinary Notes

Chef's Note

Borlotto Lingua Di Fuoco Rosso earns a long simmer: the creamy center blooms while the skin stays pleasantly firm, so you get spoonable thickness without bean mush. Built for Italian pantry cooking—its warm, mottled flavor loves olive oil, garlic, rosemary, and a tomato or pork backdrop.

Best Uses

slow-simmered dry-bean ragù with soffritto
thick minestrone-style soups where the beans stay intact
Tuscan-style beans with olive oil, garlic, and herbs
savory bean purée or smash for crostini—left slightly chunky

Flavor Profile

earthy-sweet, savory beaniness creamy interior with a pleasantly firm skin rose-warm, slightly nutty undertone holds texture without turning mealy

Kitchen Pairings

extra-virgin olive oil garlic rosemary tomato mushrooms bacon or pancetta

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I manage bean rust or powdery mildew on Borlotto Lingua Di Fuoco Rosso (bush-type) beans?

Look for orange-brown spots with rusty-looking dots (often on leaf undersides) or white powdery patches on leaves as weather stays warm and humid. Remove and discard badly affected leaves, improve airflow by spacing plants, and water at the soil line (not the foliage). If problems spread, spray with a label-approved fungicide for beans/rust in your area and repeat as directed, starting at the first signs.

During the main growing phase, how often should I water Borlotto Lingua Di Fuoco Rosso beans?

Water to keep the top 1–2 inches of soil evenly moist but not soggy—about 1 inch per week in total, adjusted for heat and rainfall. During flowering and pod set, check daily in hot weather: water when the soil surface starts to dry, and avoid letting plants wilt for long periods. Stop regular watering once pods are fully filled and the foliage begins to yellow to prevent rotting.

How can I tell when Borlotto Lingua Di Fuoco Rosso beans are ready to harvest at about 95 days?

For dried beans, harvest when pods are fully colored, dry, and rattly, and the plant foliage is largely yellow/brown; shell a few pods to confirm the seeds are hard and fully sized. For shelling “green” beans, pick when pods are plump but still tender and the seeds are formed and filling out—color should match the variety, but pods won’t be dry. Don’t wait for extreme dryness if you’re in a wet climate; harvest promptly and dry indoors if needed.