Fava beans, also called broad beans, are a type of bean cultivated and eaten worldwide. Dating back to about 6000 BC, fava beans are one of the oldest known cultivated plants eaten by many ancient societies, including the Greeks and Romans. Today fava beans are found in nearly all types of cuisine and can be eaten raw, cooked, or dried. If you've tried fava beans in a salad, stew, or sauce recipe and loved how they taste, keep reading. Our Bob's Red Mill team has put together this complete guide to fava beans so that you can better understand this legume and feel confident using it in your favorite recipes.
Fava Beans
What are fava beans? Fava beans are one of the easiest beans to grow. Grown on green pods on a flowering pea plant, fava beans are always harvested in the springtime. Inside a ready-to-harvest fava bean pod lies a large, flat, green bean with tough skin. Because the though skin must be removed before eating, preparing fava beans is quite time-consuming. However, you won't have to prepare them yourself. The type of fava beans sold at the grocery store will already have this tough skin removed.With so many bean options on shelves, fava beans have just begun to rise in popularity. If you love trying out new and tasty ingredients, then fava beans are just the legume for you.
Fava Bean History
With evidence of fava bean cultivation as far back as 10,000 years ago, They are one of the oldest known cultivated plants and legumes. As one of the first crops introduced to Britain by Neolithic farmers, These beans remained an essential part of the British diet, and we're one of the few foods that could be stored and enjoyed year-round. Now, fava beans are widely eaten in the Mediterranean, Middle East and North Africa, where they are a staple ingredient in dishes like Egyptian-style falafel and ful medames. Enjoying fava beans is also becoming more common in the United States, as they are a fantastic ingredient in many recipes.
All About The Fava Bean
If you have cooked with fava beans before, then you know the possibilities of this ingredient. If you haven't, you're likely wondering what all the hype is about. To better understand why fava beans are quickly rising to the top of our favorites list, read on to discover more about their taste, appearance and nutritional value.
Fava Beans Taste
Fava beans have a light taste that works in all sorts of recipes. You can add them to sweet and savory dishes to boost the overall flavor and texture of the meal. The flavor of fava beans is light, buttery and slightly nutty. That said, these beans do have a slight trace of bitterness to them. However, the bitterness that is present typically fades as they are cooked. Dried fava beans have a slightly different flavor, one that is milder and vegetable-likesimilar to dried chickpeas.
Fava Bean Appearance
Fava beans grow in large pods that produce large beans. With a look similar to that of an overgrown lima bean, a fresh fava bean will have a light green color with an even lighter-colored outer shell. The shell is typically removed before packaging, leaving the light green beans for consumption. Dried fava beans are also enjoyed in many cultures and can be found in colors ranging from tan, dark brown, white and purple.
Fava Bean Nutrition
Like many dried beans, fava beans provide an excellent source of fiber and are also a plant-based source of protein and iron. They can be enjoyed countless ways and served as the main course, appetizer, or side. Fava bean's versatility makes it easy to sneak this ingredient into all your favorite recipes for a quick boost of nutrition.Are you ready to begin cooking with fava beans? Because of the many ways you can use this bean, we're confident it won't last long in your pantry. From Bean Dip to a delicious Gluten Free Carrot Cake, cooking with fava beans is simple, fun and delicious. Head to our online recipe book to discover even more delicious bean-based recipes you can make with fava beans. We can't wait to see what you create. From the Bob's Red Mill family to yours, happy cooking!Want to learn more about fava beans and their many benefits? Check out the article Fava Bean Health Benefits for more information. Or, if you're cooking a recipe that calls for fava beans and looking for a suitable substitute, read 5 Fava Bean Substitutes.
