Story behind butter beans (Recipe Video inside)

One of our customer/ popular food blogger Suguna (Kannamma Cooks) had shared couple of seasons back, about Madhurai aka Kodai Butter Beans as below. What I really about her story is that she bring out cultural aspect of these beans. Now that Butter Beans Season has begun, thought of sharing the same again with you all :-).

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​"A very popular variety of lima bean that is prized in Madurai and Southern Tamilnadu. It is cultivated in Kodaikanal and Palani hills. The butter bean is held on par with meat as an ingredient in the kitchens of Madurai, Virudhunagar and interior southern parts of Tamilnadu. It is also expensive. A kilogram of unpeeled butter bean can go upwards of Rs. 200.

If you go to a Madurai household for lunch as a guest and you are a vegetarian, this along with or fresh red soya beans would be served for lunch. It would be in the form of a poriyal stir-fry or a semi gravy called butter beans masala.

We all know Madurai for its varied offerings of South Indian breakfast, parottas, mutton galore and offal. But Madurai home kitchens take pride in their butter beans and are a mainstay. Butter beans are added while making pulao and also to their mutton kuzhambu.

Many times, people kind of misunderstand butter beans for double beans. They are both different. It is very rare to get butter beans in the north of Tamilnadu. These days, you do get it once in a while in super markets. I have never seen this while growing up in Coimbatore.

They taste fantastic in a kurma and the beans are so creamy and tastes very rich.

So next time on your trip to meet Meenakshi, stop at the farmers market and dont forget to pick a kilogram of butter beans.

I was lucky enough to spot this here in Bengaluru at Healthy Buddha Organic, PB Gautham- thank you for getting us butter beans."

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Here is a video recipe of Madurai Butter Beans Kuruma by her.

​https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qr-QOnSQqhk

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For those not familiar with it, Butter Beans are a premium variety of beans grown in the cool climate of Kodaikanal, Tamil Nadu. They are known for their creamy texture, rich flavor, and high nutritional value.

How to Use:

Soaking: If using dried beans, soak them overnight for better cooking results.

Cooking Methods: Can be boiled, pressure-cooked, or slow-cooked.

Culinary Uses:

Used in South Indian curries, stews, and stir-fries

Great in soups, salads, and rice dishes

Can be mashed and used in dips or spreads

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I personally love these beans and look forward to them every year. Enjoy these when they are in season for the next month or so.

Gautham

Tags: butter beans