Broad Bean, Fava Bean

Vicia faba major

Physical Characteristics

Vicia faba major is a ANNUAL growing to 1 m (3ft 3in) at a fast rate. See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 5 and is not frost tender. It is in flower from May to August, and the seeds ripen from July to September. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Bees. The plant is self-fertile. It can fix Nitrogen. Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils, prefers well-drained soil and can grow in heavy clay soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist soil and can tolerate drought. The plant can tolerates strong winds but not maritime exposure.

Distribution

Long cultivated for its seed, the original habitat is obscure.

Habitats

Cultivated Beds;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Leaves Seed Edible Uses: Immature seed - raw or cooked. Broad bean seeds are very nutritious and are frequently used as items of food. The seeds can be eaten raw when they are small and tender, as they grow older they can be cooked as a vegetable[2 , 7 , 16 , 132 , 183 ]. They have a very pleasant floury taste[K ]. There are some potential problems to the use of these seeds if they are consumed in large quantities[7 ] - see the notes above on toxicity. Mature seeds can be eaten cooked as a vegetable or added to soups etc[2 , 7 , 16 , 183 ]. They are best soaked for 12 - 24 hours prior to cooking in order to soften them and reduce the cooking time[K ]. They will also become more nutritious this way[K ]. The flavour is mild and pleasant with a floury texture[K ]. They can also be dried and ground into a flour for use in making bread etc with cereal flours[183 ]. The seed can also be fermented to make tempeh'[183 ]. Made into a paste, they can be used as a sandwich filling[299 ]. The seed can be sprouted before being cooked[183 ]. Popped seeds can be salted and eaten as a snack or roasted like peanuts[183 ]. Young pods - cooked and eaten as a vegetable[183 ]. They quickly become fibrous as they grow larger[183 ], and also develop a hairy coating inside the pods that can become unpleasant as the pods get larger[K ]. Young leaves - cooked. They are very nutritious and can be used like spinach[105 , 183 ].

Medicinal Uses

Diuretic The seedpods are diuretic and lithontripic[7].

Known Hazards

Although often used as an edible seed, there are reports that eating the seed of this plant can cause the disease 'Favism' in susceptible people[7, 76]. Inhaling the pollen can also cause the disease[7, 218]. Favism, which is a severe haemolytic anaemia due to an inherited enzymatic deficiency[218], only occurs in cases of excessive consumption of the raw seed (no more details are given[K]) and when the person is genetically inclined towards the disease[7, 213].