Mixteca Bean Pot from Rancho Gordo

Pre-Conquest design for gentle, even heating. Works right on a gas stove. Beans love the constant heat and the clever shape helps hold in moisture. 

From the beautiful Valley of Tehuacan, we offer these unique, handmade bean pots. 

Each piece is burnished by hand using quartz rocks that have been handed down through the generations. The gloss of each piece comes from the burnishing. No glaze is involved so there is no danger of lead in the pots.

The texture and patina of the piece will change over time. Exposure to heat, fire, and food will only make it more beautiful. Even better, cooking beans in clay is almost magical. The slow, even heat and natural clay are considered the best way to cook beans. Ask a grandmother and she'll agree. 

The pots aren't perfect and aren't intended to be. Once you start cooking with clay, you may find you have a happy new addiction. They have a rustic charm and the wisdom of the ages behind them, but they shouldn't be washed in a machine and they will keep changing over the years. 

Some things to consider: These clay pots are handmade and there will be variances with the size, finishes, and capacity. Clay can last for years but it's also fragile and it's unlikely you'll be passing this down as an heirloom. Clay pots are tolerant of many situations, but extreme changes in temperature make them the most vulnerable. The pot was designed for use on a pronged grate with a gas stove. The bottom is somewhat rounded and can be a little wobbly on a flat surface. 

No curing or preparation is needed. While they are clay and susceptible to breakage when dropped, the real danger is placing a hot pot on a cold surface (or vice versa) or adding too cold a liquid to a boiling pot.

When cooking, start with a low flame and gently raise the heat as needed. Cook directly over a gas flame. You can also use the pieces when you barbecue. They only look better the more you use them. An electric range is not recommended; if you are determined to try it, you will need a heat diffuser. 

Wash with warm water and if needed, a gentle dishwashing liquid.

Because the clay is porous and there's no glaze, it's best not to use a dishwasher.

The pot holds approximately 12 cups of liquid up to the neck (just over half a gallon) but you wouldn't want to fill the pot that high. Ideal for making a pound or a half pound of beans. 

This pot was tested by Tamara Rubin for lead and the results were that the pot is lead-free. "This is a rare find. A piece of Mexican pottery that is marked and sold as Lead-free that is ACTUALLY Lead-free."