Fact File: Lima Beans

Whether you call these beans Lima beans, butter beans, or sieva beans, these beans are a very wonderful type of bean indeed!

Characteristics: Lima beans are green, and are similar to edamame, except they are softer. They don't have that strong of a flavor.



Origin: It is a native plant of South and Central America.

Growing Season: They are in season in the summer and fall. They grow for 60-90 days and are best planted in late spring.

When they are ripe: Pick the pods when they are good and firm.

Health benefits: These beans have a lot of health benefits that are very good.

-Heart Healthy
-Boosts your energy levels
-Prevents Diabetes
-Good immune support -Prevents Chronic illnesses
    -High fiber content supports digestive health
    -Good for your circulatory system
-High protein



How to cook and prepare them: Check out this recipe for how to cook Lima beans! (source 9)

Fun Facts: 

-Lima beans grow in bushes
-Lima bean plants make white and yellow flowers
-A lot of people call these beans butter beans

Warnings: Raw beans are toxic!

Thanks! Please follow us and keep liking and sharing our posts! Your support means a lot to us! Please comment with your thoughts/questions/comments/concerns.

For more information, go to:

(1) http://www.growthis.com/how-to-grow-lima-beans/

(2) http://www.erinnudi.com/2015/04/01/difference-between-lima-beans-and-edamame/

(3) https://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20101017073125AAPpOzJ

(4) http://www.feedipedia.org/node/267

(5)  http://www.whfoods.com/genpage.php?tname=foodspice&dbid=59

(6) http://canigivemybaby.com/lima-beans/

(7)  http://eol.org/pages/645300/details

(8) https://www.organicfacts.net/health-benefits/other/health-benefits-lima-beans.html

(9) http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/trisha-yearwood/baby-lima-beans-butterbeans-recipe

(10)  http://www.softschools.com/facts/plants/lima_bean_facts/2111/

Fact File: Kidney Beans

You might be sick of hearing me talk about beans, but we do have a lot more of them to come! Beans are important part of some people's diet though. People who are vegetarians cannot eat meat, and therefore do not get as much protein. All beans do have a lot of protein, so it is a good source of that, and many other nutrients. 

Characteristics: Kidney beans, miraculously got their name from their shape, which is similar to a human kidney. Like most other red beans, they have sort of a strong earthy flavor. 

 

Origin: These beans originated from Peru thousands of years ago. 

Growing Season: Kidney beans are planted in late spring. If they are planted to soon, the seeds will rot and the beans will not grow. They are harvested near the end of the summer or early autumn. 

When they are ripe: They are ripe when they have grown for 95-115 days.

Health benefits: All beans generally have the same health benefits, but kidney beans have some that are unique to them.

-Full of fiber and molybdenum
-Lowers risk of heart attack
-Gives energy
-Stabilizes blood sugar
-Helps to replenish iron stores
-Helps people have a better memory
-Good source of manganese
-Lots of protein
-Reduces bad cholesterol

How to cook and prepare them: These directions are only if the beans are dried.

1. Put the beans over a pot on the stove.
2. Add water until it is 2 inches above the highest bean
3. Boil for 1 1/2 hours.
4. If foam develops, skim it off.

For faster cooking, cook them in a pressure cooker for 1/2 hour!

Fun Facts:

-One cup of kidney beans has 15 grams of protein in it, and only .9 grams of fat!
-These beans got their name from their shape.

Warnings: 

-They have a high oxalate content which can be bad for people with certain medical conditions
-Raw kidney beans are toxic

Thanks for reading! Keep commenting and following us!

For more information, go to:

(1) http://www.camelliabrand.com/about-the-bean/about-red-kidney-beans/

(2) http://www.whfoods.com/genpage.php?tname=foodspice&dbid=87#healthbenefits