In Côtes-d'Armor, beans have been grown since the 18th century, but it was not until 1928 that a sailor named Alban brought coco seeds back from South America. This made it possible to develop a variety of pod bean which was awarded an AOC in 1997: the coco de Paimpol. Mainly grown in the north-west of Côtes-d'Armor, coco de Paimpol enabled the region's inhabitants to avoid famine during the Second World War.
Semi-dry, with a straw yellow skin and purple patches on the pod, the coco de Paimpol has flat, oval seeds. It is full of fibre and vitamin B5, as well as vitamin B1, iron and protein. It's light and doesn't cause flatulence, unlike many of its cousins.
Harvested from July to October, coco de Paimpol has its own celebration which takes place in August in one of the AOC area's towns. The coco de Paimpol brotherhood regularly holds its grand chapter there.