butter bean
Noun 1. A type of small, flat, pale green or yellow bean, similar to a lima bean but typically smaller and with a delicate, buttery flavor and texture. 2. The bush bean plant (Phaseolus lunatus or related varieties) that produces these seeds, cultivated in warm climates.
The term "butter bean" is used to refer to both the edible seed (the bean itself) and the plant that produces it. It is a common ingredient in cooking.
As the edible seed:
- The recipe calls for a can of butter beans.
- She made a delicious salad with tuna, red onion, and butter beans.
- For a creamy texture, mash the cooked butter beans.
Referring to the plant:
- We planted a row of butter beans in the garden this spring.
- The butter bean is a popular crop in the southern United States.
- Regional Variation: In some regions, particularly the United Kingdom, the term "butter bean" is used interchangeably for large, mature lima beans. The defining characteristic is the buttery texture rather than a strict size.
- Culinary Context: Butter beans are often used in soups, stews, and casseroles where they can absorb flavors and contribute a creamy consistency.
- Lima Bean: A closely related type of bean, often larger. The terms are sometimes used synonymously, though "butter bean" often implies a smaller, more delicate variety.
- Sieva Bean: Another name for certain small varieties of butter beans.
- Madagascar Bean: A name for a specific type of butter bean.
- Lima bean (in many contexts)
- Wax bean (can refer to yellow-podded beans, but not always the same)
The primary meaning centers on the bean's physical characteristics (small, flat, pale) and its culinary quality (buttery flavor/ texture). The secondary meaning refers to the horticultural source. The distinction from the larger, starchier lima bean is important in some culinary and regional contexts.
- small flat green bean similar to lima beans
- bush bean plant cultivated especially in southern United States having small flat edible seeds