Varieties
Lima and Snap Lima beans are flat and kidney shaped with the smaller sizes known to the trade as Butter limas and the larger beans known to the trade as Potato limas. Snap beans may be string or stringless (today’s varieties are most all stringless), and may be either green or the waxy yellow varieties.Some varieties are flat while others are round. They are known as Snap beans because the most common test for quality is that they be crispy enough to easily “snap” between your fingers.
U.S. Grades
U.S. No. 1, U.S. No. 2 and U.S. Combination. Snap beans also have a U.S. Fancy Grade. U.S. Combination requires at least 75% of the beans meet the requirements of U.S. No. 1.
Growing Regions and Season
USDA recommended storage Snap beans 40 to 45° F. (4.4-7.2° C.) Average freezing point 30.7° F. (-0.7° C.) USDA recommended storage Lima beans 37 to 41° F. (2.8-5.0° C.)
