Fava beans are strange in that they are not a warm - time of year annual like most edible bean . Flowers are a outstanding mix of white and deep purpleness , often with stripes . They also have a different taste and grain and are used other than in cooking . They are also commonly used as a cover craw . In other regard , they are true noodle – they are legumes and fix nitrogen .
When to Plant Fava Beans
Favas should beplantedin early spring , about the same time as pea plant and loot . Frost tolerant , they are brave to about 21 ° F ( -6 ° C ) . They can also be plant in previous nightfall to winter over , peculiarly when being used as a covert crop . Soak bean for about an 60 minutes prior to planting . place four to six inches apart and plant two inches recondite .
Fava Bean Varieties
Favas are a dissimilar species ( Vicia fabus ) from other edible bean such as the Phaseolus or unwashed string noodle . Also make out as the encompassing edible bean , faba bean , field of operations bean , bell bean and tic attic , they have varietal name as well , such as :
Growing Fava Beans
Most fava beans are bush beans , although the Ianto variety develop six foot tall . They can tolerate high salt and clay soils , but do best in arenaceous loam . Like most beans , they prefer soil that drain well . They wo n’t grow well in hot , wry weather . Taller multifariousness should bestakedor trellised .
Using Fava Beans
In the US , fava beans are more likely to be arise as animal and fowl feed or used as a dark-green manure . However , in Europe , the Middle East and Far East , they are used in a wide form of dishes . Immature bean , noodle pods and even theleavescan be eaten . The Chinese make fermented bean paste with favas , while fry and then salt and spice the attic .
Favas as a Cover Crop
Many nurseryman habituate favas to improve their soil . The dome produce considerable light-green material that can be cut down and allowed to decay or tilled into the grease . Like all legume , they will limit N , which remain in the soil when they are used as a cover craw or greenish manure . Some gardeners harvest the bean plant and then till in the top growth , receive double benefit .
Health Issues
Fava beans are comestible and many people can eat them without problems . However , they can make a grave reaction know as favism . Some people have an enzyme deficiency and are ineffective to metabolize the beans decent . A condition called hemolytic anemia – abnormal equipment failure of red blood cells – may occur . It is more potential in people of Mediterranean , southeasterly Asian or African descent .
