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Fava Beans
Inventory, 28 lbs : 2.08
This item was last sold on : 03/25/23
Description/Taste
Fava beans develop in thick, elongated pods, averaging 15 to 25 centimeters in length and 2 to 3 centimeters in diameter. The pods are generally bright green, bumpy, and fibrous with a leathery texture, sometimes covered in a downy coating. Fava bean pods are inedible, and when opened, they reveal a cottony interior encapsulating 2 to 8 large, plump, and flat green beans. The oval, curved beans average 5 to 10 millimeters in diameter and are encased in a white, waxy, and semi-translucent skin. This protective coating is edible but has a fibrous, chewy consistency with a slightly bitter, vegetal flavor. Fava beans have a tender to starchy texture depending on the bean's maturity and develop a soft, buttery feel when cooked. The beans contain sweet, earthy, green, and nutty flavors mixed with a delicate grassy bitterness.
Seasons/Availability
Fresh Fava beans are available for a short season in the spring, while dried Fava beans are available year-round.
Current Facts
Fava beans, botanically classified as Vicia faba, are an ancient legume belonging to the Fabaceae family. The plump, thick bean pods grow on seasonal plants that can reach up to almost two meters in height and are one of the oldest cultivated plants recorded among ancient civilizations. Fava beans are also known as Broad beans, Windsor beans, and sometimes Field beans and were historically used as a ground cover crop. The Fava plant is known for its ability to nurture soils with added nutrients such as nitrogen and was helpful to farmers to control weeds. For many years, Fava beans were seen more as a rotational crop and livestock feed rather than a crop for human consumption, but over time, farmers began to turn to the beans as an important protein source. In the modern-day, there are many different varieties of Fava beans, and chefs view the early, cool-season legumes as a sign of spring. Fava beans are only available for a limited time and offer a bright, grassy flavor to spring dishes.
Nutritional Value
Fava beans are an excellent source of fiber to stimulate the digestive tract and are rich in folate, which helps produce red blood cells to transport oxygen through the bloodstream. The beans are also a good source of manganese to develop connective tissue in the body, copper to maintain metabolism, phosphorus to strengthen bones and teeth, and contain iron, potassium, and magnesium. It is important to note that some consumers may have a genetic trait known as favism, a reaction caused by consuming large quantities of Fava beans that may cause anemia. Discretion should be used when consuming Fava beans. Always discuss health-related questions with a doctor before eating large amounts of the beans.
Applications
Fava beans have a fresh, sweet, and subtly bitter flavor well-suited for both raw and cooked applications. Young beans are primarily eaten fresh as they bear a more tender texture, but mature beans will become starchier and are only edible once cooked. Mature Fava beans also require some preparation before they can be consumed. The pods can be unzipped and opened, removing the beans, and the beans should be blanched and then shocked in cold water to remove the thin, protective coating. Once prepared, Fava beans can be boiled, fried, roasted, stewed, steamed, or mashed. The beans can be tossed into green salads, dressed in oils and herbs as a side dish, stirred into soups, or pureed into sauces such as pesto, dips, and spreads. Fava beans can also be used as fillings for fritters, mixed into grain bowls, combined into pasta, or incorporated into dishes featuring other springtime ingredients. Beyond fresh beans, Fava beans are often dried for extended use, and once reconstituted and cooked, they will bear a soft, chewy consistency reminiscent of chickpeas. Fava beans pair well with artichokes, asparagus, peas, spinach, morel mushrooms, meats such as bacon, lamb, and poultry, seafood, chicory, lentils, leeks, citrus, and cream or wine-based sauces. Fresh, unshelled Fava beans will keep up to 10 days when stored in a container in the refrigerator. Once shelled, the beans should be immediately consumed for the best quality and flavor but will keep up to 3 days in the fridge. Fava beans can also be frozen for up to one month.
Ethnic/Cultural Info
Fava beans are incorporated into ful mudammas, a popular, hearty dish comprised of slow-cooked Fava beans mixed with spices and other aromatics. There are many different variations of ful madammas found throughout the Middle East, and the dish can be served at any meal of the day with accompaniments such as garlic sauce, fried eggs, bread, or falafel. Ful mudammas also happens to be Egypt’s national dish. There are many different types of Fava beans in Egypt, and the most commonly used variety is a small, rounder Fava bean known as ful hammam or bath fava. Legend has it that Fava beans acquired the name “bath beans” in Cairo, Egypt, during the Middle Ages. In city centers, bathhouses were open during the day for residents, and attendants would keep the water warm with huge fires fueled by burning trash. Once the bathhouses closed for the evening, the fires would continue to produce warm embers, and Fava beans would be placed in large pots to slowly cook. These cooked beans were sold as breakfast dishes the next day, creating the early versions of ful medammas.
Geography/History
Fava beans are one of the oldest domesticated bean varieties and have been cultivated since ancient times. Experts found archeological remains in Israel and believe these findings can be traced back as early as the Neolithic period, from 6800 to 6500 BCE. Fava beans were later introduced from the Middle East into the Mediterranean in the early ages, eventually traveling along trade routes into Northern Africa and Southwestern Asia. The beans were prevalent in Ancient Egyptian, Greek, and Roman civilizations, where they were used for religious rituals, livestock feed, and as a source of protein. Today Fava beans are found worldwide and are cultivated in temperate regions with cool seasons. The beans are still used in crop rotations for farming, animal feed, and human consumption and are sold through local markets in the spring in North America, South America, Europe, Asia, Africa, and Australia.
Featured Restaurants
Restaurants currently purchasing this product as an ingredient for their menu.
| Wormwood | San Diego CA | 619-573-0289 |
| Qero | Encinitas CA | Chris 702-334-8845 |
| Cucina Enoteca | Del Mar CA | 619-239-2222 |
| Encontro North Park | San Diego CA | 310-955-6333 |
| Little Frenchie | Coronado CA | 619-522-6890 |
| Fairmont Grand Del Mar | San Diego CA | 858-314-1975 |
| The Prado at Balboa Park Kitchen | San Diego CA | 619-744-3732 |
| The Pearl Hotel | San Diego CA | 877-732-7573 |
| Born & Raised (Events) | San Diego CA | 619-550-5412 |
| Inn at Rancho Santa Fe | Rancho Santa Fe CA | 858-381-8289 |
| Park Hyatt Aviara (Ember & Rye) | Carlsbad CA | 760-448-1234 |
| Nolita Hall | San Diego CA | 619-618-8820 |
| Bridges at Rancho Santa Fe | Rancho Santa Fe CA | 858-759-6063 |
| Hotel Del Coronado Sheerwater | Coronado CA | 619-435-6611 |
| Open Gym-Working Class | San Diego CA | 619-865-3024 |
| Park Hyatt Aviara | Carlsbad CA | 760-448-1234 |
| SD Continuing Education Culinary Arts | 619-719-6924 | |
| Urban Kitchen Catering | San Diego CA | 619-276-8803 |
| Lodge at Torrey Pines Main | San Diego CA | 858-453-4420 |
| Catania La Jolla | La Jolla CA | 858-551-5105 |
Recipe Ideas
Recipes that include Fava Beans. One
is easiest, three is harder.Recently Shared
People have shared Fava Beans using the Specialty Produce app for iPhone and Android.
Produce Sharing allows you to share your produce discoveries with your neighbors and the world! Is your market carrying green dragon apples? Is a chef doing things with shaved fennel that are out of this world? Pinpoint your location annonymously through the Specialty Produce App and let others know about unique flavors that are around them.
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Specialty Produce
Specialty Produce
Near San Diego, California, United States1929 Hancock Street San Diego, CA 92109 619-295-3172 About 7 days ago, 3/19/23 Sharer's comments : Fava Beans From Mendoza Farms 
Specialty Produce
Specialty Produce
Near San Diego, California, United States1929 Hancock St Suite 150 San Diego CA 92110 619-295-3172 https://specialtyproduce.com About 20 days ago, 3/06/23 Sharer's comments : Fava Beans from Mendoza Family Farms 
SoCo Farmers Market
Near Fountain Valley, California, United StatesAbout 22 days ago, 3/04/23 Sharer's comments : At Gaytan Family Farm 
Santa Monica Farmers Market
Mendoza Family Farms
Near Santa Monica, California, United StatesAbout 32 days ago, 2/22/23 Sharer's comments : Fava Beans from Mendoza Family Farms 
Mercato di Ballaro
Mercato di Ballaro
Near Palermo, Palermo, ItalyVia Ballaro, 90134 Palermo PA About 38 days ago, 2/17/23 
Santa Monica Farmers Market
Mendoza Family Farms
Near Santa Monica, California, United StatesAbout 103 days ago, 12/14/22 Sharer's comments : Fava Beans from Mendoza Family Farms 
Santa Monica Farmers Market
Mendoza family farm
Near Santa Monica, California, United StatesAbout 109 days ago, 12/07/22 
Takashimaya underground grocery
Near Shinjuku, Tokyo, JapanAbout 116 days ago, 11/30/22 
Pico Market
Mendoza Farms
Near Santa Monica, California, United StatesAbout 142 days ago, 11/05/22 Sharer's comments : First of the Fava Beans from Mendoza Farms 
University District Farmers Market
Near Seattle, Washington, United StatesAbout 218 days ago, 8/20/22 
Borough Market
Elsey & Bent
Near London, England, United Kingdom8 Southwark St London England SE1 1TL 442074073377 About 258 days ago, 7/11/22 
Santa Monica Farmers Market
Near Santa Monica, California, United StatesAbout 299 days ago, 6/01/22 
Santa Monica Farmers Market
Near Santa Monica, California, United StatesAbout 306 days ago, 5/25/22 
Mercato dell' Unità
Mercato dell' Unità
Near Rome, Italyingresso principale in, Piazza dell' Unità, Via Cola di Rienzo, 53, 00192 Roma RM https://mercatounita.it About 306 days ago, 5/25/22 
Mar Vista Farmers Market
Sunrise Organic Farm
Near Venice, California, United StatesAbout 309 days ago, 5/22/22 
Specialty Produce
Near San Diego, California, United StatesAbout 322 days ago, 5/09/22 Sharer's comments : Fava Beans from Two Peas in a Pod 
Santa Monica Farmers Market
Near Santa Monica, California, United StatesAbout 326 days ago, 5/04/22 
Rancho Santa Fe Farmers Market
Valdivia Farms
Near Fairbanks Ranch, California, United StatesCarlsbad, CA About 329 days ago, 5/01/22 
Virginia Park Farmer's Market
Fresno Evergreen
Near Santa Monica, California, United StatesAbout 330 days ago, 4/30/22 
Pico Market
Fresno Evergreen
Near Santa Monica, California, United StatesAbout 331 days ago, 4/30/22 Sharer's comments : Fava Beans from Fresno Evergreen 
Coop
Near Rome, ItalyAbout 334 days ago, 4/26/22 
Santa Monica Farmers Market
Mendoza Family Farms
Near Santa Monica, California, United StatesLompoc, CA 805-315-4649 About 347 days ago, 4/13/22 
Virginia Park Farmer's Market
Mendoza Family Farms
Near Santa Monica, California, United StatesAbout 359 days ago, 4/02/22 Sharer's comments : Fava Beans from Mendoza Family Farms 
La Jolla Open Aire Market
Valdivia Farms
Near La Jolla, California, United StatesCarlsbad, CA About 364 days ago, 3/27/22 
Centro Commerciale "Il Faro"
Liguria, ItalyAbout 368 days ago, 3/24/22 
Piazza Del Mercato
Liguria, ItalyAbout 368 days ago, 3/24/22 
Santa Monica Farmers Market
McGrath Family Farms
Near Santa Monica, California, United States1012 W. Ventura Blvd Camarillo CA 91360 1-805-340-1036 About 376 days ago, 3/16/22 
Specialty Produce
Near San Diego, California, United StatesAbout 378 days ago, 3/13/22 Sharer's comments : Fava Beans from Black Sheep Produce 
Del Mar Farmers Market
Valdivia Farms
Near Del Mar, California, United StatesCarlsbad, CA About 379 days ago, 3/12/22 Sharer's comments : First of the season fa as, they are so sweet right now! 
Virginia Park Farmer's Market
Mendoza Family Farms
Near Santa Monica, California, United StatesAbout 379 days ago, 3/12/22 Sharer's comments : Fava Beans from Mendoza Family Farms 
Little Italy Mercato
RK Garden Fresh
Near San Diego, California, United StatesEl Cajon, CA About 393 days ago, 2/26/22 
Specialty Produce
Near San Diego, California, United StatesAbout 395 days ago, 2/24/22 Sharer's comments : Fava Beans from Black Sheep Produce 
Mercato di Campo dei Fiori
Market at Piazza Campo de'Fiori
Near Rome, Rome, ItalyPiazza Campo de' Fiori, 33, 00186 Roma RM, Italy 393258292602 About 403 days ago, 2/17/22 
Santa Monica Farmers Market
Near Santa Monica, California, United StatesAbout 417 days ago, 2/02/22 
Santa Monica Farmers Market
2 Peas In a Pod
Near Santa Monica, California, United StatesAbout 480 days ago, 12/01/21 Sharer's comments : Fava Beans from 2 Peas In a Pod 
Virginia Park Farmer's Market
Fresno Evergreen
Near Santa Monica, California, United StatesAbout 708 days ago, 4/17/21 
Santa Monica Farmers Market
Two Peas in a Pod
Near Santa Monica, California, United StatesAbout 711 days ago, 4/14/21 
Santa Monica Farmers Market
Valdivia Farms
Near Santa Monica, California, United StatesAbout 719 days ago, 4/07/21 
Specialty Produce
Near San Diego, California, United StatesAbout 721 days ago, 4/05/21 Sharer's comments : Fava beans from Valdivia Farms 
Santa Monica Farmers Market
McGrath Family Farms
Near Santa Monica, California, United StatesAbout 725 days ago, 3/31/21 |
