Pergamino

The first stage of processing completed, the carefully selected beans surrounded by their dried silk-like exterior are waiting to be bagged in large white (150 pound) sacks for transport to town. In town at the mill they will loose a third of their weight in the milling process with screening and re-packaging as green beans (Oro) in 132pound (1.32 qt) traditional, woven, brown sacks.

Locally the separation of the silk from the bean is done in a colorful display of women with their brightly colored skirts poring the pergamino from over their heads. Piles of naked beans then collect in piles at their feet. The dry silky threads blow away in the wind.