Asked October 12, 2021, 5:01 PM EDT
my pole Lima Beans are bitter. why?
Douglas County Oregon
Expert Response
You should not eat limasif they are bitter because they are probably high in cyanogenic glucosides. Normally this is only a problem in wild limas, but can occur in cultivated varieties even thoughlima bean breeders do have to measure cyanide content before they release a new variety. If your variety isa landrace or heirloom, chances are it has not been checked for cyanide. I think cyanide content can vary with environment, but don't know what conditions are likely to lead to an increase. (Answer by Jim Myers, OSU vegetable and bean breeder).
They are Pole Lima beans. We ordered them from “Amazon”. Afterwe theyordered them, we got a message from “Amazon” sayingthat they ordered them from China (this was shortly after the COVID outbreak occurred). It took about five weeks to get here. They came in an unmarked plastic bag. It did not say what variety they were, and no planting instructions (n othing) We were apprehensive, but planted them anyway. This is the second year we have planted them. We planted the seeds too close together. They were very prolific, so much so that there was so much foliage that they did not bear good - we only gota little over a quart of beans, and thought they had a bitter taste to them, but decided to try them again. They have done well. I think we have only eaten them twice, and were small servings. Ihave about 2 quarts in the freezer, and quite a few still on the vine.
Thank you for your reply,
Florence Case
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On Wed, Oct 20, 2021 at 12:14 PM, Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote:
We would NOT encourage consumption of those beans due to the likely high cyanide levels indicated by the bitter taste.
Thank you for your help in this matter.
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On Wed, Oct 20, 2021 at 4:20 PM, Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote:
FAQs
HS Code 0713394140 - Tariff Classification of - Other lima beans.
Why are my lima bean pods not filling out? ›
Hot days and especially hot nights will cause flower and small pod abortion and reduced summer pod sets. It will also cause reduced seed numbers in pods or pods with underdeveloped seeds (flat pods). This is especially a factor in large seeded pole lima bean types (such as Dr. Martins).
Are Fordhook 242 lima beans pole or bush? ›
Bush Lima Beans are smaller than the pole types and produce smaller seeds, so their yield is considerably less. The small types are sometimes known as butter beans.
Why did Kim plant the lima beans in the vacant lot? ›
Kim plants lima bean seeds in remembrance of her deceased father and his love of gardening in Vietnam. The location of her attempt to grow lima bean seeds is in a trash-strewn vacant lot located near her apartment building.
Who is the girl with lima beans? ›
A Bad Case of Stripes is the story of Camilla Cream, a girl who loves lima beans and worries about others' opinions of her. On the first day of school, Camilla wakes up to find herself completely covered in rainbow stripes!
Why are my lima beans flowering but not producing? ›
Hot, dry conditions during blossoming may cause many of the flowers to drop off without setting pods. Excessive nitrogen fertilization promotes lush growth, but may also inhibit pod formation.
How do you thicken large lima beans? ›
Just stir them a bit more while they cook. This helps some of the beans to break and release starches, which then make the liquid thicker and creamier. If you want to make sure they are still intact, you can add cornstarch to the broth instead.
Why are my dried lima beans still hard? ›
Dried beans typically have a moisture content of around 16%. However, as they age, moisture evaporates, giving pectin time to age and harden the skin. These beans can often take much longer to soften while soaking and cooking, up to twice the time!
What's the difference between Fordhook lima beans and regular lima beans? ›
There are two distinct varieties: the baby lima and the Fordhook. Both are pale green, plump-bodied and have a slight kidney-shape curve with a buttery flavor and creamy texture. The Fordhook is larger, plumper and fuller than the baby lima. In the South, dried limas are frequently called butter beans.
What are the easiest lima beans to grow? ›
When growing lima beans in the bush variety, the Fordhook 242, Henderson's Bush and Baby Fordhook are the easiest. Growing lima beans is done best at temperatures between 70 and 80 degrees F.
Try to use fresh lima beans within several days of their harvest. Dry lima beans will last for years in storage.
What makes lima beans grow faster? ›
Lima beans grow best when temperatures are between 70 and 80 F. They also require 1 inch of water per week (either from rain or irrigation) during blossoming and pod development.
What is the disease in lima beans? ›
Fungal Lima Bean Diseases
Leaf Spot Disease – Caused by the fungus Phoma exigua, leaf spot disease may start as a small reddish brown spot the size of a pinhead on the foliage. As the disease progresses, these lesions can grow to about the size of a dime and spread to the stems and pods.
What is the HS code for lima beans? ›
HS Code 0713392140 - Tariff Classification of - Other lima beans.
What do lima beans symbolize? ›
The elevated role of the lima bean as a symbol of both war and eternal life can be seen in the fine art and pottery of the era.
What is the PLU code for beans? ›
Bobbywires.com - PLU lookup utility
| PLU Code | Commodity | Variety |
|---|
| 4528 | BEANS | Fava/Broad |
| 3049 | BEANS | Fine |
| 4066 | BEANS | Green/French |
| 3048 | BEANS | Helda/Flat |
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