Broad Bean (Vicia Faba)

Broad bean is one of the most important winter edible bean crops in the world and is rich in nutrients.

What is a broad bean?

Broad bean also called Vicia faba, Faba Sativa, horse bean, fava bean, faba bean, field bean, bell bean, English bean, Windsor bean, pigeon bean, tic bean/tick bean. It is a high-protein, low-fat, starch-rich crop. It is one of the earliest legume crops cultivated by humans.

Benefits and dangers of the broad bean

Benefits:

1. Vitamin C in broad beans can delay arteriosclerosis.

2. The crude fiber in broad bean skin can reduce cholesterol and promote bowel movement.

3. Broad beans contain calcium, zinc, manganese, phospholipids, which are important ingredients for regulating the brain and nerve tissue, and are rich in choline, which has a brain-enhancing effect of enhancing memory.

4. Broad beans have a certain effect on preventing bowel cancer, can also promote bone growth, and prevent cardiovascular disease.

Dangers:

1. Eating broad beans too much can cause bloating and hurt the spleen and stomach.

2. Broad beans contain allergenic substances. Very few people with allergies can have symptoms of allergies, acute hemolysis and other poisoning symptoms after eating.

Broad bean varieties

Broad beans can be simply divided into white-skinned broad beans and green-skinned broad beans. White-skinned broad beans are small, more delicious, tender and a little sweet. The green-skinned broad beans are big, more chewy, older and a bit astringent.

How to choose the best broad bean

1. The color of fava beans is emerald green, the brighter the color is, the better;

2. The shape of fava beans is oblate, the fuller the better;

3. Pinch by hand, the good fava beans should be hard and cannot be pinched.

How to prepare it

1. It can be boiled in water for 3-5 minutes, then put in cold water and cut each pod along the seam, and then push it out with your thumb along with the furry interior.

2. Before making it into a dish, the dried broad bean should be soaked in warm water for 3-4 days and the fresh broad bean should be soaking in clear water more than 20 minutes in advance.

How to store it

Method 1: Remove the broad bean shell, washed and drained them. Store it in the freezer layer of the refrigerator.

Method 2: Fully sunbathe the broad beans until they are completely dry, then wash them and fully sunbathe them again, and store them in a ventilated and dry place.

Method 3: Cook the broad beans in water, and pick them up and stir with salt, then dry them and put them in the freezer.

(All methods that can make sure store broad bean more than half a year.)

Broad bean recipes

You’ll need:

500g broad beans
1 onion
Salt
Cooking wine
Light soy sauce
Pepper
2-3 chives, chopped

How to cook broad beans

1. Remove the broad bean shell, washed and drained them.

2. Shred the onion. Heat a casserole with oil, and stir-fry onion until fragrant.

3. Add the broad beans and a pinch of salt, and stir-fry for 2-3 minutes. Add the right amount of water and continue to cook until boiling. Add cooking wine and light soy sauce in the casserole, then cover the lid and cook it under middle heat for 5-10 minutes until the broad beans become soft. ( Stir 1-2 times during the process)

4. Add the right amount of pepper in the casserole and cook until the sauce has thickened. Sprinkle chives and serve.

Print Recipe

5 from 5 votes

Broad Bean (Vicia Faba)

Broad bean is one of the most important winter edible bean crops in the world and is rich in nutrients.

Prep Time10 mins

Cook Time25 mins

Total Time35 mins

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: Chinese

Keyword: Broad Bean, Vicia Faba

Servings: 4

Calories: 213kcal

Ingredients

• 500g broad beans
• 1 onion
• Salt
• Cooking wine
• Light soy sauce
• Pepper
• 2-3 chives chopped

Instructions

• Remove the broad bean shell, washed and drained them.
• Shred the onion. Heat a casserole with oil, and stir-fry onion until fragrant.
• Add the broad beans and a pinch of salt, and stir-fry for 2-3 minutes. Add the right amount of water and continue to cook until boiling. Add cooking wine and light soy sauce in the casserole, then cover the lid and cook it under middle heat for 5-10 minutes until the broad beans become soft. ( Stir 1-2 times during the process)
• Add the right amount of pepper in the casserole and cook until the sauce has thickened. Sprinkle chives and serve.