What Are Butter Beans Called? A Guide to the Many Names of This Versatile Legume

Butter beans go by many names. This large, creamy bean has a smooth, buttery texture that makes it a pantry staple around the world. But the versatility of this legume extends to its nomenclature as well. So what are butter beans actually called?

The Many Monikers of Butter Beans

Here are some of the most common names for this bean:

Lima bean – The most widely used name in the U.S., lima beans are named after the capital city of Peru where they originate.
Butter bean – Used primarily in the American South and the U.K., this name refers to their rich, buttery flavor.
Sieva bean – Also called the Madagascar bean this name distinguishes a particular variety of butter bean.
Haba bean – Used in Spanish-speaking countries, haba translates to “broad bean.”
Guffin bean – A slang term used in some southern US regions.
Burma bean -Named after Burma (now Myanmar), an early exporter.
Sugar bean – A reference to their naturally sweet taste.

Why So Many Names?

There are a few reasons this bean goes by so many monikers:

It is cultivated and used in cuisines around the world.
Regional naming variations developed over time.
Its creamy texture inspired descriptive names like butter bean.
Different cultivars have their own titles like sieva beans.
Translations from the original Quechua terminology created variation.

Regardless of the name, they all refer to the same species of bean – Phaseolus lunatus. The many titles simply add to the mystique of this incredible legume!

Tracing the History of Butter Bean Names

Butter beans originated around 2000 BC in the Andean and Central American regions of Peru, Costa Rica, and Colombia. Indigenous Quechua speaking cultures cultivated what they called the pallar bean.

Spanish colonizers later introduced the bean to Europe in the 16th century. The name lima bean emerged upon the legume’s arrival in Lima, Peru which was a Spanish trade hub. This became the most widely used term in English speaking countries.

Meanwhile, butter bean emerged as a popular moniker in Britain. The rich, creamy texture inspired this descriptive name. Burma bean also came into use when the legume was exported from Myanmar (Burma) in the 1800s.

Over time, these names disseminated through trade and immigration. Today, certain regions still prefer their traditional butter bean terminology.

Regional Differences in Butter Bean Nomenclature

While lima bean prevails in most of the U.S., other names are favored regionally:

Butter bean – Used in the American South where limas are a popular soul food ingredient. Also favored in Britain.
Sieva bean – A variety of large lima preferred in the Caribbean. Named after the Sieva region of Costa Rica.
Haba bean – Prevalent name in Latin America and Spain. Haba = broad bean.
Sugar bean – South Africa’s appellation referring to the bean’s sweetness.

So in different countries and regions, they opt for the traditional name that resonated locally. Despite the variations, each name points to the same Phaseolus lunatus species.

Common Uses Around the World

Beyond regional names, butter beans are a versatile global ingredient:

USA – A staple soul food side dish, popular in succotash. Also used in salads, stews, baked beans.
Caribbean – Key ingredient in dishes like hoppin’ John, rice and peas, pelau.
Latin America – Whole limas used in ceviche. Also popular in soups.
Europe – Commonly pureed into spreads, dips, and crostini toppings.
West Africa – Main ingredient in dishes like moi-moi (steamed bean cakes).
South Asia – Split bean paste is used to make sweets like nimki.

Its ability to absorb flavors makes butter beans indispensable in global cuisines.

The Takeaway

In the end, the many monikers of butter beans simply point to their worldwide appeal. Their smooth, creamy properties inspired names like butter bean and sugar bean. Regional naming variations highlight their role in diverse cultures.

By any name, butter beans offer a wholesome, affordable, and utterly delicious ingredient. Their incredible versatility both culinarily and linguistically makes them one of the most universally loved legumes!

what are butter beans called

Which Should You Be Growing | Lima Beans OR Butter Beans

FAQ

What is another name for a butter bean?

A lima bean (Phaseolus lunatus), also commonly known as butter bean, sieva bean, double bean or Madagascar bean, is a legume grown for its edible seeds or beans.

What beans are considered butter beans?

You’ll see them labeled in different ways in the store, after all: frozen lima beans, canned butter beans, dried large limas—or is it dried large butter beans? Turns out, lima beans and butter beans are the same thing. Both terms refer to the same species, Phaseolus lunatus.

What do Americans call butter beans?

Lima Beans. While they’re all the same bean botanically, butter beans have different names depending on the region. In the South and in the United Kingdom, they’re typically referred to as butter beans. Elsewhere in the U.S., they’re known as lima beans (named for Lima, Peru, the bean’s point of origin).

Are cannellini and butter beans the same?

No, butter beans are not cannellini beans. However, you can substitute butter beans with cannellini beans in many recipes! They have a mild flavor, and depending on the preparation, they have the same creamy texture as butter beans.

Are ‘butter beans’ the same as canned beans?

They do have a creamy, buttery texture when they’re cooked, so “butter beans” is a fitting moniker. Whatever they’re called, and at whatever stage of maturity you find them—dried mature beans, frozen young ones, canned ones of any age—just know that these mild, creamy beans are interchangeable.

What are butter beans called?

Butter beans go by other names, as well. Thomas Jefferson favored sieva beans, an heirloom lima bean variety. Greek gigante beans are also a type of dried lima beans. In India, dried limas are called double beans.

Why are lima beans called butter beans?

These slightly curved legumes are buttery in flavor and have a creamy texture when cooked, which may account for the “butter” nickname (that, and the beige color they take on when mature). And if you come across butter peas, Madagascar beans, or gigante beans, you’re also getting lima beans.

Are butter beans fresh or frozen?

Butter beans, also called lima beans and sieva beans, are the seeds of the plant Phaseolus lunatus. They are available fresh, frozen, or dried, and are sold in both younger and mature forms. What Are Butter Beans? Butter beans are large, creamy beans that are filling and nutritious.