Broad Bean Aguadulce

'Aguadulce' broad bean is a classic standard variety that is hardy, vigorous and extremely productive. It forms very long pods (40 cm) containing 8 to 9 tender, fleshy white seeds. Sow this early-maturing variety from October to November or from February to March depending on the climate. Harvest from April to August.

The Broad bean (Vicia faba), also known as the Fava bean, is a legume that belongs to the large Fabaceae family alongside regular beans and peas. It is thought to originate from Asia and the Middle East and is now cultivated worldwide for its excellent flavour and nutritional value. Broad beans contain high levels of vegetable protein, fibre, minerals and vitamins including folate (vitamin B9). The kidney-shaped or rounded seeds come in a variety of sizes and colours, from white to green, brown or even purple. They can be eaten both raw and cooked. They are especially tasty picked young, fresh and tender - when harvested early they can even be eaten whole, pods included. It is also possible to leave them to mature on the plants and to harvest them dry. Preparing broad beans is a labour of love… but they’re worth it! First, the seeds are removed from the tough outer pods. Then (unless they are picked young enough) they are freed from their soft, bitter inner skin. Generally, 1 kg of raw pods yields 250 g of beans.

Broad beans are very easy to grow! They can be cultivated successfully in a much wider range of soil types than regular beans, although best results will be achieved in loamy, well-drained, moisture retentive soil. Like all members of the Fabaceae family, they are not heavy feeders. As nitrogen fixing plants, they are often used in crop rotations to enrich the soil before or after plants that require lots of nitrogen to grow. In milder climates, broad beans can be sown from November to February for early spring harvests.

Harvest: broad beans can be harvested at all stages of maturity: young for fresh, tender unshelled beans, slightly later for cooking, or dry for storing.

Storage: fresh beans will keep for a few days in the fridge. They can also be dried and stored in airtight jars or frozen for later use.

Good to know: Blackfly is an aphid that commonly affects broad bean crops. It can be kept in check without resorting to chemical insecticides: try spraying your crops with soapy water (2 tablespoons of liquid soap per litre of water). Some people choose to leave blackfly on their crops as a way to promote fruit set whilst attracting more ladybirds into their garden!