Lima Beans
Lima beans, native to South America, are ancient legumes that are sometimes referred to as the aristocrat of beans. The climbing plants on which limas grow were already in cultivation when Columbus arrived in the Americas, and archaeologists have discovered 7,000-year-old limas in Peru. Generally whitish in color, flat, and variably sized, they turn pale green when cooked and have a mellow, creamy flavor.
Varieties
Limas are members of the kidney bean family and are predominantly available as two main types: large, “potato” limas and small, baby lima beans, which are half the size of the large variety. Another, less common, variety is the large, speckled Christmas lima. The colors of lima bean varieties range from off-white and pale green to red, purple, brown, and almost black.