Broad bean, fava bean, field bean, horse bean

facts contributed by Kew Gardens 22 Jan | 12:11

  • Broad beans

Vicia faba is a plant bearing a floury, flat bean generally disliked by children for their strong taste and mealy texture! It has been grown in rows in British vegetable gardens since medieval times, the pods harvested when young for a sweeter, more tender bean.

Species information

Distribution: Europe, Mediterranean, Asia

Habitat: Grow in deep soil

Form: Climbing herb

Scientific name: Vicia faba L. (Leguminosae)

These beans are have diuretic effects and are said to dissolves stones in the bladder and kidney.

A small proportion of people, mainly from the Mediterranean region, suffer from a hereditary condition called ‘favism’ which can result in severe anaemia and jaundice from eating raw the raw beans.

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