Lima Beans

Creating and Enjoying Lima Beans: From Plant To Plate

If you're looking for a delicious and healthy way to fill up, then look no further than the humble Lima bean. This legume is one of the oldest beans known, with use stretching back to 4,000 years ago in Peru, when it was part of the staple diet of the ancient Peru people. Lima beans are a nutritional powerhouse too, full of essential vitamins, minerals and fiber. But how does this tasty bean get from its origin in the soil to the dinner plate? Let's find out.

The Lifecycle of a Lima Bean

The journey of a Lima bean begins with the planting of a seed. In order to ensure a successful crop, they must be planted in well-prepared soil, which should have good drainage, so that the roots of the Lima bean have adequate oxygen. The pH level of the soil should not exceed 7 either, as this can affect nutrient uptake or the ability for the plant to produce new growth.

Once the seed is planted and watered, the first sprouts start to appear after approximately three to seven days. At this point, the young Lima bean plants need ample sunlight and an environment that is free from extremes of temperature. With balanced and consistent care, the seedlings will begin to develop into mature plants in about six weeks.

The plants will continue to grow until they reach maturity, often somewhere around three to five feet tall, depending on environmental conditions. This process is known as flowering, and when the flowers fall off the plant, it’s a sign that the pods containing the beans are beginning to form.

Harvest Time

Keeping an eye on the Lima bean plants is key to a successful harvest as it’s important to pick the pods at the right time, when they are just beginning to dry out. The pods are generally ready to harvest sometime around the end of summer and can be easily picked by hand. Once the pods are collected, they need to be neatly arranged and left to finish drying out in the sunshine until their skins turn light brown in color.

The pods are then ready for the next step in the Lima bean process – threshing. Threshing simply means separating the beans from the pods, which can typically be done by hand or, for larger scale operations, with the help of a machine.

Processing

The next stage is processing. The beans are manually sorted in order to discard any that are damaged or defective, before they are buried in line pits and left to soak overnight in water. This helps to soften their external shells, preparing them for their next stage - hulling.

During hulling, the beans pass through a series of metal rollers to remove the exterior shells from each individual bean, leaving only the edible inner fruit. The separated shells, meanwhile, are saved and used for compost.

After being hulled, the beans go through another process of manual sorting, to remove any small, hard, or discolored beans. At this point, the beans are referred to as green-hulled and can be frozen and stored for extended periods of time.

Grading, Inspection and Packing

After freezing, the beans are graded according to size and color and sorted into batches of different sizes and colors, depending on buyer preference.

Each batch is then examined closely in order to ensure quality and safety standards and inspected to discard any unwanted debris or additional shells. After being inspected and cleared, the beans are then placed into small bags or large sacks and are ready for distribution.

Fresh or Frozen

Lima beans are most commonly distributed and sold as fresh or frozen varieties. When jars of fresh Lima beans are sent to grocery stores, the temperature of the beans needs to be consistent and monitored carefully in order to ensure optimal freshness.

Frozen Lima beans are the most common variety, because of the ease and convenience of preparation. Typically, these beans are re-hydrated through simmering or steaming and can be used in a variety of dishes, such as soups, stews, salads, casseroles and stir-fries.

Cooking and Serving

No matter the variety of Lima beans purchased, the preparation methods are quite similar. The beans need to be vigorously rinsed to remove any dirt or fungus and to avoid any digestive issues.

Then, if using canned or jarred Lima beans, the liquid should be strained off and the beans should be boiled or steamed over medium heat for five to 10 minutes, or until they reach the desired texture.

For frozen Lima beans, it is important to remember to completely defrost them in the fridge before boiling or steaming.

Serving Lima beans is easy and versatile. Simply add a little olive oil and some spices like garlic or cumin, along with other vegetables and ingredients, to make a delicious, healthy side dish. Or, add them to an entrée or soup for a delicious and nutritious meal.

The Bottom Line

From its humble beginnings as a seed planted in well-prepared soil all the way to the dinner plate, the journey of a Lima bean is an intriguing one. Not only is this legume incredibly flavorful and nutrient-dense, but it is also surprisingly easy to prepare and can be used in a wide variety of recipes. As we’ve seen, Lima beans truly transcend the ages when it comes to providing a nourishing and delicious meal.