The night before, combine the bean from the bean mix (reserve the flavor packet for later) and water in a large saucepan, bring to a boil, reduce heat to simmer and cook for 1 ½ hours. Pour the beans and the cooking liquid into a bowl, let cool and refrigerate overnight (8 -12 hours).
In the morning, drain off all but 1 cup of the liquid and put the beans into a slow cooker with the reserved flavor packet and the remaining ingredients. Cook on low for 10 – 12 hours (you can cook longer if you like your beans softer). To concentrate the liquid more, turn the slow cooker to high for the last hour of cooking.
Can be made several days ahead, it gets better and better with time. Store covered in the refrigerator.