What Do Fava Beans Taste Like?

One look at these beans will make you wonder, “What do fava beans taste like?”. It’s never enough to merely see the bean. You also need to taste and feel it on your tongue to determine whether you want to include them in your dish. So, what do fava beans taste like, and is it right for your recipe?

In this post, you’ll come to terms with the goodness of fava beans. After reading this, you’ll enjoy planning your next delicious bean-based meal with fava beans.

What Are Fava Beans?

Fava beans, also called broad beans, have been around since at least 6000 BC. People from the Mediterranean, the Middle East, Africa, and South America often use these beans in their cooking.

You’ll find plenty of fava beans in the spring at farmers’ markets. You can also find them in the fresh produce section of grocery stores. However, the season won’t last forever, so if you don’t move quickly, you might miss out.

The fava plant’s broad, tough, light-green beans are protected by fuzzy pods. Since they are usually cooked without their pods, they take more work to prepare. Fresh fava beans can be cooked in many different ways. They go well with various foods, such as dips, salads, stews, and more. 

What Do Fava Beans Taste Like?

Many people find that cooked fava beans have a nutty, buttery flavor and a smooth, silky texture. However, some may detect a bitter undertone.

When dried, fava beans take on a more understated flavor, sometimes compared to chickpeas. The subtleness of this bean makes it a great additive to almost any dish. These beans will also absorb the flavors of the dish as it cooks.

What Other Beans are Similar to Fava Beans?

Some of the beans that are very similar in flavor, texture, and appearance to fava beans include:

Lima Beans

You’ll never find any bean as similar to the fava bean as the lima bean. They are just as green and sometimes beige as fava beans are and are the same size as them. They also come with a green shell.

The lima bean has a smooth, light, and yummy earthy flavor, like the fava bean. You may consider their flavor milder and their texture thicker than fava beans. Lima beans will work well in any dish where the fava bean is used.

Cannellini Beans

Cannellini beans are slightly kidney-shaped with squared-off ends. When cooked, their texture becomes airy and takes on a mild, nutty flavor.

They’re very close to fava beans in flavor, so you can use them interchangeably though they don’t exactly look alike. But they’re about the same size as fava beans. These nutritionally dense beans are ideal for various bean soup and stew preparations.

Conclusion

Are you interested in using fava beans in your next dish but not sure what they taste like? The above post provides all the information you need to determine whether fava beans are ideal for your dish. Now you no longer need to wonder: What do fava beans taste like?