Interesting Fava Bean Facts and Recipe Ideas

The number of fava bean facts the majority of us know could probably fit on a scrap piece of paper. That said, these little legumes are actually worth knowing a good deal better. In fact, the majority of people who learn about these beans will usually eat them a great deal more after they’re informed.
The reason is that among the top fava bean facts are those regarding the nutrition you can gain from them. They’re not just hearty and tasty, but they’re crammed full of nutrition, too. They’re a great source of fiber and plant based protein.
That said, the interesting fava bean facts go far beyond that. They are also quite unique in a number of ways. Most of us may not have thought twice about them before. After all, they’re just beans! But once you get to know more about them, you might even find yourself telling a few of your friends and family members some of these interesting tidbits.
Consider the following:
· Fava beans are extremely old – As a plant that grows very, very easily, it’s one of the oldest food plants in the world. There is evidence of fava beans as far back as 6,000 BC in areas of the Mediterranean.
· They are easy to store – Among the reasons they became so commonplace in foods even thousands of years ago is that they can be easily stored. They can be consumed fresh or cooked, but they can also be dried out to make them perfect to keep for when other fresh food were not as readily available. Moreover, rehydrating them didn’t require a long cooking time which made them more appealing than many other varieties of beans that could be dried out.
· They make decent flour – Dried and ground fava beans can make lovely flour. It can be used on its own and is highly popular in vegetarian and vegan dishes from Ethiopia. That said, it can also be combined with grain flour in order to fortify it.
· High in iron, zinc and manganese – These beans are a fantastic source of iron as well as zinc and magnesium. That’s great news for most diets, but especially for people who are prone to anemia or for individuals who struggle to obtain those minerals from the rest of their diet. This makes these beans a great friend to vegans and vegetarians.
· They keep pests from other crops – not only are they great in their own right, but when they’re planted near other crops, they keep common pests away. At the same time, they enrich the soil with nitrogen, reducing or eliminating the need for added fertilizers. This makes fava beans a very eco friendly crop.
Add them to soups, stews, stir fries, or use their flour to make falafel or to boost the heartiness of a dense bread.