Fava

Adam Alexander's new book The Seed Detective is an inspirational call to deepen our relationship with the vegetables we eat by exploring the cultural wealth of their origins and stories. Every chapter is a fascinating journey of discovery. We're delighted to share Adam's history of fava beans along with some lovely photos of beans growing in his garden. Enjoy!

Feasting on pulses is something the Hodmedod team are happy to do any day of the week but on January 6th we had two extra reasons to celebrate. As well as an almost belated Christmas lunch, January 6th marked the launch of the UN’s International Year of Pulses with hundreds of people across the world celebrating with a pulse feast.

Israeli archaeologists claim to have dug up the world's oldest fava beans, suggesting that beans may have been the very first farmed crop. Does this mean the paleo diet is old hat and neo(lithic) eating the new thing?

Perhaps surprisingly fava beans have a long association with Christmas and the midwinter festivals that preceded it, including a traditional cake that we think is well worth reviving.