What is the difference between fava beans and lima beans

Although both varieties are interchangeable in pretty much any dish, they do have a slightly different taste. As mentioned earlier, fava beans tend to have a more robust flavor than lima beans, so beware that fava beans can be overpowering in specific recipes. Whereas lima beans, using kidney beans is probably the closest substitute.

Now that the most apparent differences between fava beans and lima beans are put behind us, we can jump into how to care for each species. Fava beans are fast-growing and cool-weather annual veggies best planted in the early spring or fall. Fava beans are commonly grown for their sizeable, flat, edible seeds found inside the pods or fruiting structures.

However, unlike most other bean species, fava beans are not twining climbers. The flowers of a fava bean plant grow into white spiked clusters with dark markings that mature into thick, waxy pods that stretch to six to eight feet long and contain three to six flat seeds.

Fava beans thrive in locations with full sun exposure. Therefore, try to provide fava bean plants with at least six hours of direct sunlight daily. Even though fava beans are tolerant to a wide range of well-draining soil types, the ideal soil is loose, airy, loamy soil with a slightly acidic to neutral pH. Fava beans typically have average water needs with slight drought tolerance. One inch of weekly watering is usually enough to keep the fava bean thriving.

Like all other legume species, fava beans can fix their nitrogen into the soil. Therefore, they generally do not require additional feeding. However, a generous helping of compost into nutrient-poor soil will help to promote growth. Fortunately, fava beans are hardy and generally trouble-free. However, hot temperatures invite a variety of pests. The most common pests that raid fava beans include aphids, black flies, and weevils. In addition, frequent occurring problems include rust and fungal disease.

Therefore, be sure to provide plenty of space between each fava plant to ensure proper circulation. Fava beans typically take 80 to days to reach their harvest; however, this may vary with different varieties and climates. Lima beans are warm-season crops that need to be planted in spring after the frost to thrive. These annual legumes are also known as butter beans. Lima beans mature two to twelve feet high and carry trifoliate oval leaflets two to three inches long.

They sell big bags of frozen favas and I'll occasionally see fresh ones in the grocery store. If there's somewhere near you where there are a lot of Portuguese folks, or even a Portuguese grocery, perhaps there you could find frozen favas! Indem Sie weiterhin auf der Website surfen bzw. Mehr erfahren. Ultimate Lighting Sale. Bathroom Vanity Sale. Bestselling Chandeliers and Pendants. Sign In. Join as a Pro. Houzz TV. Houzz Research. Shop Featured Holiday Categories. Home Decor.

Holiday Decor. Christmas Trees. Holiday Lighting. Gift Cards. Dumb question: do lima beans and fava beans taste similar? Or so I thought. Email Save Comment Featured Answer. Like 1 Save. Sort by: Oldest. Newest Oldest. Like Save. I do not think favas are at all like limas However, tonight is my first foray into making yogurt, so we'll see how that goes.

Serve with pita, cucumbers, peppers, or carrots. Salty, crunchy bits of pancetta and earthy cremini mushrooms add richness without overwhelming the beans. Serve with chicken or toss with pasta. For tips on peeling the beans, see How to…. Already a subscriber? Log in. Get the print magazine, 25 years of back issues online, over 7, recipes, and more. Start your FREE trial. Fine Cooking. Sign Up Login. Ingredient Fava Beans. Save to Recipe Box.

Add Private Note. Saved Add to List Add to List. Add Recipe Note. Most Popular. Classic Tomato Soup Recipe. Potato Gnocchi Recipe. The two require different preparations and cooking methods.

You can cook fava beans in basically every way, but you can also add them raw in salads. The only limit to how you can use these beans is your creativity and personal taste.

Lima beans, or butter beans, are grown mainly for their edible seeds. They take their name from the city of Lima, in Peru, where they have been cultivated for thousands of years. There are several varieties of lima beans, which might come in different colors. There is also a variety of small beans that is called baby lima beans. Lima beans are harvested during the fall season. Fresh lima beans are light green like fava beans, while matured lima beans are dry and beige.

Fresh lima beans are the most popular variety in the U. Despite the general confusion surrounding these two beans, fava beans are not the same as lima beans.

Another question that is often asked is whether you can substitute butter beans for lima beans. You can, because butter beans are just another name for lima beans and the two are exactly the same, just like broad beans are nothing but fava beans. You can also replace fava beans with lima beans , but it would be better to use cannellini beans if the recipe calls for limas.