San Juan de la Rambla Revives Traditional Lupin Bean Processing to Preserve Rural Heritage

San Juan de la Rambla is reviving its rural heritage with a special event dedicated to historical memory this coming Monday. The local council is hosting a workshop focused on the traditional processing of chochos (lupin beans), a practice that once played a vital role in the area’s agricultural life.

The event, starting at 4:00 p.m., will demonstrate how local farmers traditionally used the natural rock pools in the La Rambla neighborhood to salt the beans to perfection. This process was once a staple of the local calendar, typically timed to coincide with the early October celebrations for the Virgin of the Rosary. Artisans María Dolores Santana and Marcelino Reyes will lead the session, sharing their expertise with the community.

More than just a reenactment, the initiative aims to bridge the generational gap by reconnecting residents with a custom that has largely faded from daily life. By involving current residents, the council hopes to pass down knowledge of a practice that was once a cornerstone of the region’s economy and food culture.

This project is part of a broader effort to protect intangible heritage. By showcasing traditional food techniques that were pushed aside by industrialization, San Juan de la Rambla is honoring the resilience of its ancestors and ensuring that this practical knowledge remains a living part of the community rather than just a footnote in history books.