The Christmas lima, also called the chestnut lima or calico bean, is a large, flat, heirloom variety of the lima bean (Phaseolus lunatus) distinguished by its bold colouring — a creamy buff ground swirled and speckled with deep maroon to chestnut-brown. Cooked, it holds its shape and turns meaty and starchy with a markedly nutty, chestnut-like flavour that sets it apart from the soft, buttery green baby lima.