Chinese Red Noodle is one of my favorites; firm, good flavor... and unlike purple snap beans, it keeps its color when cooked. And because the deep red color is restored by vinegar, it makes spectacular dilly beans.

As a member of the Seed Savers Exchange, I collect heirlooms, so my other favorites are most likely not available. Sierra Madre is a pole variety developed in the Philippines, with brown & white seeds, and very long, deep green pods. It is the closest I've found to a regular green bean.

Yancheng Bush is, as the name implies, a true bush; it was obtained from a GW member in Texas. It is brown seeded, and has firm, light green pods 10-11" long. It also as a very short DTM (pods in 50 days) and can tolerate some cooler weather. If kept picked, it bears all summer. "Stickless Wonder" is similar, and has been available commercially.

Bush Sitao BS-3 is a semi-bush variety developed in the Philippines. It really is more of an edible-podded cowpea than a yardlong; but the 8-10" light green pods are straight & very firm. The seed is half white, half light brown.

The only white-seeded variety I tried here turned out to be photo-period sensitive, and did not even bloom until September. A purple podded variety sent to me from Alabama had the same problem - neither was able to set seed here.

I am growing Taiwan Black this year to replenish my seed stock. Although it is fairly early & has a high yield, I'm not fond of its cooked texture.

Thank you for that information. I googled the ones you mentioned and didn't find any available online. I do see a lady from the Philippines posting pictures of her beans online, but when asked what variety she always says string beans. She says you can buy the plants at a local nursery. They told me to check back in September.

Check back with me in September as well. I am growing Taiwan Black, Sierra Madre, and Bush Sitao BS-3 as seed crops this year. Sierra Madre should make it (I'm harvesting pods now), the other two are slow this year due to weed pressure, and I'm crossing my fingers. If you are unable to PM me (GW seems to be unreliable in that regard) just reply in this post, since I check this forum frequently.