bobby bean

plural bobby beans

1. A French bean that is larger than 8mm in diameter, typically from a variety such as Nerina, Bronco, or Paulista.

   Similarly, the recent boom in imports of fine beans from Egypt has been based on pre-existing capabilities in growing the less sophisticated bobby beans.

   2001, Oliver Morrissey, Igor Filatotchev, Globalisation and Trade, →ISBN

   2 more examples

   For the UK market, it is important to note that fine beans are only acceptable up to a maximum of 7-5.5mm diameter. Thus, in this market, fine beans range from 6 to 7.5mm and bobby beans must be at least 8.5mm. Any product between 7.5 and 8.5mm is hard to sell.

   2001, Commonwealth Secretariat, Guidelines for Exporters of Fruit and Vegetables to the European Markets, →ISBN

   Bobby beans are produced mostly in large plantations, as they are less labor-intensive than the extra fine beans, which tend to do better in smallholder farms due to high labor requirements.

   2007, Julius Juma Okello, Clare Narrod, Devesh Roy, Food Safety Requirements in African Green Bean Exports and Their Impact on Small Farmers, page 4