Lima beans

In terms of distribution of all known cultivated species of beans after ordinary, it is Limskaya that ranks second. Lima beans are distinguished by excellent taste, high yield and good scalability of seeds.

Traditionally, lima beans or lima (Phaseoluslu-natus L. ) are widely grown in South and Central American countries, on the island of Madagascar, in Cameroon, Burma, China, India and other states. Unfortunately, in Russia today the area for the cultivation of lima beans is still insignificant. However, today the possibility of successful cultivation of this plant has already been proven only in the southern regions: in the North Caucasus, in the Krasnodar Territory and Transcaucasia.

Meanwhile, in the 16th century, this species of bean was discovered by European researchers in Lima (Peru), from where the plant became known as Lima. Due to the characteristic shape of the seeds, it is often called moon beans. And another name - butter beans - it owes a kind of creamy taste.

In general, 2 varieties of lima beans are distinguished. Potato-type large lima beans are distinguished by fleshy large seeds, while its pods do not open when ripening. The small lima bean is an annual early ripening plant with numerous small seeds that are exposed after ripening.

When choosing lima beans, give preference to fresh beans of bright green color, boxes with which are tightly filled. When opening the pod of lima beans, the seeds should be characterized by fleshiness, thin skin, which is easily pierced, and a color from greenish white to green. The coarse, hard skin means that the beans are already overripe, and such beans are usually practically tasteless.

Lima beans are used as food both fresh and dry. For example, fresh beans of lima beans are alkaline - they are highly valued for vegetable protein. Dry beans are difficult to digest and, moreover, dry skin can irritate the inflamed organs of the digestive system.

Lima beans are excellent in the form of puree, which is recommended to be included in a soft diet for gastric diseases. In addition, on the basis of this product, a tasty and rather nutritious baked dish is obtained - bean bread. It was found that five hundred grams of lima beans contain the same amount of nutrients as in one kilogram of meat.

The benefits of lima beans, like most other plant-based products, to human health are truly limitless. The high nutritional value of this legume determines the high content of protein in the seeds, which is absorbed by the human body by more than 75 percent.