A name for the broad bean. At their best from the end of May to early July, the pods should be pale green with a satiny bloom and feel soft and tender. They are thought to be the original bean and were first grown in North Africa. The beans are encased in a tough pod with a furry lining. When very young the pods can be cooked whole but they are usually shelled. When the beans are dried they acquire a creamy colour. They are known as fava beans and as English beans in the United States.
