Broad Beans vs Fava Beans – Are They the Same? Complete UK Guide

Are broad beans and fava beans the same thing? Yes! Broad beans and fava beans are two common names for the same species of vegetable, Vicia faba. The main difference is the terminology used in different countries, although varieties, seed sizes and whether the beans are sold fresh or dried can cause some confusion.

If you’ve ever watched an American gardening video or followed a recipe from another country, you might have come across the term fava beans.

And perhaps you’ve wondered whether they’re something different from the broad beans we grow here in the UK.

Are fava beans another variety?

Do they taste different?

Can they survive our British winters?

And if you buy a packet of fava bean seeds, can you grow them on a UK allotment?

The answer is much simpler than you might expect.

Fava beans are broad beans.

They’re both members of the same botanical species, Vicia faba.

Here in the UK, we generally call them broad beans.

In the United States, you’re more likely to see the name fava beans, especially in recipes and food shops.

You may also encounter the name faba beans, which is commonly used in agricultural and scientific contexts.

But there’s a little more to the subject than that.

Different varieties of Vicia faba can produce beans of different sizes and colours.

Some are mainly grown as fresh vegetables.

Others are cultivated for dried pulses, livestock feed or agricultural purposes.

And the way the beans are harvested and prepared can make them look and taste quite different.

Here at Gardening with Ben, I love growing broad beans because they’re one of the most useful vegetables for UK allotments.

You can grow suitable varieties through autumn and winter, start seeds indoors during February or sow directly outside during spring.

And once those lovely green pods develop, there are plenty of ways to enjoy them.

In this complete guide, I’ll explain the differences between broad beans, fava beans, faba beans, field beans and horse beans.

We’ll look at popular UK varieties, how to grow them, what they taste like and how to prepare fresh and dried beans.

I’ll also explain whether fava beans are the same as butter beans or lima beans, because these are sometimes confused too.

So let’s clear up the confusion!

Are Broad Beans and Fava Beans the Same?

Yes.

Broad beans and fava beans are the same botanical species.

Their scientific name is Vicia faba.

The Royal Horticultural Society identifies Vicia faba as the broad bean, while the United States Department of Agriculture uses the name fava bean for the same plant.

This means that when an American recipe asks for fresh fava beans, you can generally use fresh UK broad beans.

Likewise, if you buy a packet of seeds labelled fava beans, you’re buying a form of Vicia faba.

However, it’s worth checking which variety or agricultural type you’re getting.

Not every form produces identical seeds or pods.

Are Fava Beans a Separate Species?

No.

Are They a Different Vegetable?

Not in the botanical sense.

Why Do They Have Different Names?

Different countries and industries use different common names for the same crop.

Can You Substitute Broad Beans for Fava Beans?

Yes, as long as the recipe calls for beans at a similar stage of maturity.

Fresh green broad beans and dried mature fava beans need very different preparation.

What’s the Simplest Way to Remember?

Broad bean is the familiar British name, while fava bean is commonly used in American cooking.

Why Are Broad Beans Called Fava Beans?

The different names reflect the long history of this vegetable.

Broad beans have been cultivated for thousands of years.

They were grown long before many of the beans we commonly eat today became widespread in Europe.

The plant has travelled between countries, cultures and farming systems, accumulating different names along the way.

What Does Fava Mean?

Fava is closely related to the Latin word faba, meaning bean.

Why Do Americans Say Fava Beans?

The term is widely established in American food writing and cooking.

Do All Americans Use That Name?

Not necessarily.

You may also see broad beans, especially in specialist gardening or food contexts.

Why Do UK Gardeners Say Broad Beans?

Broad bean is the long-established common name used by British gardeners, seed suppliers and organisations such as the RHS.

Are Faba and Fava the Same Word?

They’re two different spellings used in common names for the same crop.

Faba is particularly common in botanical, agricultural and scientific contexts.

What Are the Other Names for Broad Beans?

Because broad beans have been grown across the world for such a long time, they have several alternative names.

You may encounter:

• Broad beans
• Fava beans
• Faba beans
• Windsor beans
• English beans
• Horse beans
• Field beans
• Bell beans
• Tick beans

However, some names are used specifically for particular agricultural types.

For example, field beans and horse beans are often smaller-seeded forms that are grown commercially.

Are Horse Beans the Same as Broad Beans?

They belong to the same species, but the term horse bean often refers to particular smaller-seeded agricultural types.

Are Field Beans Broad Beans?

Yes, they’re forms of Vicia faba.

What Are Windsor Beans?

The term is often associated with larger-seeded broad bean types.

Are Bell Beans the Same Species?

Yes.

Why Does This Matter?

When buying seeds, the common name may not tell you exactly what kind of crop you’ll get.

If you want large, tender beans for your dinner table, choose a named vegetable variety suitable for garden growing.

Are Fava Beans and Field Beans Different?

This is where the terminology becomes slightly more complicated.

Although they’re the same species, different forms of Vicia faba have been selected for different purposes.

Broad beans commonly grown in UK vegetable gardens are often large-seeded types.

Field beans may have smaller seeds and are often grown as agricultural crops.

Can You Eat Field Beans?

Some field bean types are suitable for food when appropriately grown and prepared.

However, you should choose produce specifically sold and handled as food, rather than assuming livestock seed is suitable for eating.

Can You Grow Field Beans on an Allotment?

Yes, but you may prefer named culinary varieties if your aim is to harvest tender fresh beans.

Are Field Beans Used as Green Manure?

Some forms are grown in agricultural rotations or as cover crops.

Do Field Beans Fix Nitrogen?

Like other suitable legumes, they can form nitrogen-fixing root nodules with compatible soil bacteria.

Should Beginners Choose Field Bean Seed?

For an ordinary vegetable harvest, I’d recommend buying packets sold specifically as broad bean varieties.

Do Fava Beans Look Different from Broad Beans?

Not necessarily.

A fresh fava bean pod and a fresh broad bean pod can look identical because they’re produced by the same species.

However, individual cultivars differ in appearance.

Some produce long pods.

Others are more compact.

Seed colour can also vary.

What Do Broad Bean Plants Look Like?

They produce upright stems, blue-green leaves and attractive flowers.

Many varieties have white or pale flowers with distinctive dark markings.

Are All Fava Beans Green?

No.

Fresh beans are often green, but some varieties have pale or differently coloured seeds.

Fully mature dried beans can look very different from fresh green ones.

Are All Broad Bean Pods the Same Length?

No.

Pod length depends on the variety.

Can You Identify a Variety from the Pod Alone?

Not reliably in every case.

It’s best to retain the seed packet label.

Best Broad Bean and Fava Bean Varieties to Grow in the UK

If you’re planning to grow fava beans on a UK allotment, you can choose from the same seed varieties sold as broad beans.

Here are several worth considering.

1. Aquadulce Claudia

Aquadulce Claudia is a particularly useful variety for autumn sowing.

It’s known for its ability to overwinter in suitable UK conditions and produce an early crop.

If you want to plant during October or November, it’s one of the most familiar choices.

2. The Sutton

The Sutton is a compact dwarf broad bean variety.

It’s useful for raised beds, smaller gardens and patio containers.

It generally grows to around 50 cm or less.

3. Witkiem Manita

Witkiem Manita is a quick-growing variety suitable for spring sowing.

It’s useful when you want to start broad beans after winter rather than overwinter them.

4. Imperial Green Longpod

This variety is known for producing long pods containing green-skinned beans.

It’s suitable for gardeners who want a traditional taller broad bean crop.

5. Dreadnought

A heritage variety that produces long, slender pods.

It’s another option worth considering if you enjoy trying different cultivars.

Which Is Best for Beginners?

The Sutton is useful for small spaces.

Aquadulce Claudia is a good choice for gardeners wanting to try autumn sowing.

For a spring crop, Witkiem Manita is worth looking at.

Can You Buy American Fava Bean Varieties?

Yes, although availability varies.

Check the cultivar’s growing requirements and any seed-import rules rather than assuming every overseas variety is suitable for the same sowing dates.

Can You Grow Fava Beans in the UK?

Absolutely.

Because they’re broad beans, fava beans are particularly well suited to UK growing conditions.

Unlike French beans and runner beans, broad beans can tolerate relatively cool weather.

Some hardy varieties can even be sown during autumn for an early harvest.

Do Fava Beans Need Hot Weather?

No.

They’re cool-season plants.

Will They Survive British Winters?

Suitable hardy varieties may overwinter successfully in well-drained soil.

However, severe frost and prolonged waterlogging can still cause damage.

Do They Need Full Sun?

A sunny, sheltered location is generally best.

What Soil Do They Prefer?

Fertile, moist but well-drained soil.

Can You Grow Them in Clay Soil?

Yes, provided drainage is suitable.

Can You Grow Them in Raised Beds?

Yes.

Can You Grow Them in Pots?

Yes, particularly dwarf varieties such as The Sutton.

When to Plant Fava Beans in the UK

The planting calendar is exactly the same as for broad beans because they’re the same crop.

October

Suitable hardy varieties, particularly Aquadulce Claudia, may be sown outdoors in well-drained ground.

November

Another traditional autumn sowing month for hardy varieties.

December and January

Outdoor sowing is less straightforward in most UK gardens.

Cold and wet conditions can cause problems.

February

You can start broad bean seeds under cover in individual pots or modules.

This is particularly useful where outdoor soil remains cold and waterlogged.

March

One of the main months for outdoor sowing.

April

Another excellent sowing month for spring varieties.

Early May

Some varieties can still be sown, although later crops may be less productive and more exposed to summer heat.

What’s My Recommendation?

For a typical northern English allotment, I’d concentrate on October or November for suitable hardy varieties, and February to April for spring sowing.

How to Sow Fava Beans in the UK

Growing fava beans is straightforward.

The seeds are large enough to handle individually, which makes them particularly good for beginners.

Step 1: Choose a Suitable Variety

Decide whether you want an autumn or spring crop.

Step 2: Prepare the Growing Area

Remove weeds and ensure the soil is suitable.

Step 3: Check Drainage

Avoid sowing into waterlogged soil.

Step 4: Mark Out Your Rows

Allow enough room for mature plants.

Step 5: Measure the Spacing

The RHS recommends approximately 15–23 cm between outdoor plants.

Step 6: Sow at the Correct Depth

Plant seeds approximately 5–7.5 cm deep outdoors.

Step 7: Cover and Firm

Replace the soil gently.

Step 8: Water If Needed

Keep the seedbed suitably moist but not saturated.

Step 9: Label the Variety

Record the sowing date.

Step 10: Monitor Germination

Check for signs of emerging seedlings and possible mouse damage.

Step 11: Provide Supports

Tall varieties may need stakes and garden string.

Step 12: Monitor Pests

Watch for blackfly as soft spring growth develops.

Do Fava Beans and Broad Beans Need the Same Fertiliser?

Yes.

There is no separate feeding programme for fava beans because they’re the same plant.

Broad beans growing in fertile garden soil normally need very little additional fertiliser.

As legumes, they can form a relationship with nitrogen-fixing bacteria in their roots.

Do Fava Beans Fix Nitrogen?

Yes, when compatible bacteria and suitable growing conditions are present.

Does That Mean They Need No Nutrients?

No.

They still need nutrients such as phosphorus and potassium.

Should You Use Chicken Manure Pellets?

Not automatically.

Excess nitrogen may be unnecessary.

What About Tomato Feed?

The RHS recommends high-potassium liquid feed for dwarf broad beans grown in containers once flowering begins.

Should You Feed Autumn-Sown Plants in Winter?

Usually not.

What’s Most Important?

Healthy soil, good drainage and enough water during flowering.

Do Fava Beans Get the Same Pests as Broad Beans?

Yes.

They’re susceptible to the same pests and diseases.

Blackfly

Black bean aphids often cluster around young shoots and flowers during spring and summer.

Chocolate Spot

This fungal disease causes reddish-brown spots that can become extensive in damp weather.

Broad Bean Rust

A fungal disease producing dusty brown pustules on foliage.

Pea and Bean Weevil

Adult insects cause distinctive notches along leaf edges.

Mice

Broad bean seeds can be eaten before they germinate.

Slugs and Snails

Young seedlings may occasionally be damaged.

Do You Need Different Treatments for Fava Beans?

No.

Use the same identification and management guidance as you would for broad beans.

When Do You Harvest Fava Beans in the UK?

The harvesting season depends on the variety and sowing date.

Autumn-sown crops may produce beans during May or June.

Spring-sown crops usually harvest during summer.

How Do You Know They’re Ready?

Look for pods that are swollen but still tender.

Should You Wait Until the Pods Are Huge?

Not necessarily.

Young beans often have better flavour and texture.

Can You Eat Baby Fava Bean Pods Whole?

Yes, when the pods are very young and tender.

When Should You Pick Beans for Shelling?

When individual beans have developed inside the pod but are not excessively mature.

What Does the Bean Scar Tell You?

A white or green attachment scar usually indicates a more tender eating stage.

Older beans may have darker scars and tougher skins.

Should You Harvest Regularly?

Yes.

Check the plants every few days during peak cropping.

Do Fava Beans Taste the Same as Broad Beans?

Yes, when comparing beans of similar variety and maturity.

However, people often associate the term fava beans with dried beans used in traditional international recipes.

That’s why the flavours and textures can seem different.

What Do Fresh Broad Beans Taste Like?

Young beans are often sweet, earthy and slightly nutty.

What Do Mature Beans Taste Like?

They become starchier and may develop a stronger flavour.

Are Dried Fava Beans Different?

Drying changes their texture, and they require rehydration and thorough cooking.

Do All Varieties Taste Identical?

No.

Different cultivars can have subtle flavour and texture differences.

What Makes the Biggest Difference?

The stage at which the beans are harvested and how they’re prepared.

Fresh Broad Beans vs Dried Fava Beans

This is probably where much of the confusion begins.

Fresh broad beans are normally harvested while the pods are green and the beans are still tender.

Dried fava beans are left to mature and dry before being used as a stored pulse.

Fresh Beans

They’re harvested green, shelled and cooked relatively quickly.

Young beans may have tender outer skins.

Dried Beans

These are fully mature seeds that have been dried.

They require appropriate soaking and cooking before eating.

Are They From Different Plants?

Not necessarily.

They can come from the same species, although the varieties used commercially may differ.

Can You Dry Your Own Broad Beans?

Yes.

Allow selected healthy pods to mature fully, then dry and store suitable beans correctly.

Can You Use Fresh Broad Beans in Dried Fava Recipes?

Sometimes, but you’ll need to adapt the recipe because the moisture content and cooking time are very different.

How to Shell and Double-Pod Fava Beans

When you harvest fresh broad beans, you’ll normally remove the beans from their green pods.

This is known as shelling.

Some recipes then recommend removing the outer skin from each individual bean.

That process is called double-podding.

How to Shell Fresh Beans

Open the pod along its seam.

Pull it apart.

Remove the beans from the soft inner lining.

Discard the empty pod unless it’s young enough for cooking whole.

What Is Double-Podding?

After shelling, briefly blanch the beans and cool them.

The individual outer skins can then be slipped off.

Do You Need to Double-Pod Young Beans?

Not necessarily.

Very young beans often have tender skins.

What About Older Beans?

Removing their thicker outer skins can improve the eating texture.

Is Double-Podding Worth It?

It depends on the dish and the maturity of the beans.

Popular Ways to Cook Broad Beans and Fava Beans

Broad beans appear in several food traditions around the world.

Because they can be eaten fresh or dried, there are lots of ways to prepare them.

Steamed Broad Beans

Fresh young beans can be steamed until tender.

Serve with butter, olive oil or fresh herbs.

Broad Bean Salad

Cooked and cooled beans can be used with herbs, vegetables and a suitable dressing.

Broad Bean Soup

Shelled beans make a useful ingredient in homemade vegetable soup.

Broad Bean Pasta

Fresh beans work well with lemon, olive oil and herbs.

Mashed Fava Beans

Cooked beans can be mashed or puréed for dips and spreads.

Ful Medames

A traditional dish associated with Egypt and other parts of the Middle East, commonly made using cooked fava beans with seasonings.

Can You Freeze Fresh Broad Beans?

Yes.

Blanching before freezing is generally recommended for maintaining quality.

Can You Eat Dried Fava Beans Straight From the Packet?

No.

Dried beans need appropriate preparation and thorough cooking.

Follow reliable cooking instructions for the exact product.

Are Fava Beans the Same as Butter Beans?

No.

This is another common misunderstanding.

Butter beans are generally large lima beans, belonging to the species Phaseolus lunatus.

Broad beans and fava beans belong to Vicia faba.

Although they may be used in some similar recipes, they’re different plants.

Are Fava Beans Lima Beans?

No.

Are Fava Beans Runner Beans?

No.

Runner beans belong to Phaseolus coccineus.

Are Fava Beans French Beans?

No.

French beans belong to Phaseolus vulgaris.

Are Fava Beans Peas?

No.

They are all legumes, but they belong to different species.

Can You Substitute Butter Beans in a Fava Recipe?

Sometimes for culinary purposes, but the flavour and texture won’t be identical.

Are Broad Beans Healthy to Eat?

Broad beans provide protein, fibre and a variety of vitamins and minerals.

They’re a useful ingredient in a varied diet.

However, one important safety issue needs mentioning.

Broad Beans and G6PD Deficiency

People with glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency should avoid broad beans and fava beans.

In susceptible people, they can cause favism, a potentially serious reaction involving the breakdown of red blood cells.

This applies to broad beans and fava beans because they’re the same food.

Cooking doesn’t make them reliably safe for people with this condition.

If you know you have G6PD deficiency, follow the medical advice you’ve been given and avoid fava/broad beans.

For most other people, properly prepared broad beans can be enjoyed as part of a normal diet.

Can You Save Seeds From Broad Beans and Fava Beans?

Yes.

Because they’re the same species, the basic seed-saving process is the same.

Should You Leave Pods on the Plant?

Select healthy pods and allow them to mature and dry.

What Colour Do Mature Pods Become?

They may become dark brown or black as they dry.

Can You Save Seeds From Any Variety?

You can save seeds from suitable open-pollinated varieties.

However, maintaining a variety’s characteristics requires attention to possible cross-pollination.

Can Different Broad Bean Varieties Cross?

Yes.

Insects may transfer pollen between varieties.

Should You Save Seeds From Diseased Plants?

Avoid saving seeds from plants showing serious disease.

How Should You Store Them?

Dry the seeds thoroughly and keep them cool, dry and properly labelled.

Ten Common Mistakes When Comparing Broad Beans and Fava Beans

1. Thinking They’re Completely Different Vegetables

They’re the same botanical species.

2. Assuming Every Fava Variety Is Identical

Different cultivars have different pod sizes and growth habits.

3. Confusing Fresh Beans with Dried Beans

Their moisture content and preparation requirements are different.

4. Treating Field Beans as a Different Species

They’re forms of Vicia faba.

5. Confusing Fava Beans with Lima Beans

They’re different species.

6. Assuming Fava Beans Need Hot Weather

They are cool-season legumes.

7. Using the Wrong Sowing Dates

Check the specific variety and UK growing conditions.

8. Harvesting Fresh Beans Too Late

Overmature beans may become tough.

9. Assuming All Beans Can Be Cooked the Same Way

Fresh and dried products require different preparation.

10. Forgetting the G6PD Safety Warning

Fava/broad beans must be avoided by people with G6PD deficiency.

Frequently Asked Questions About Broad Beans and Fava Beans

Are broad beans and fava beans the same?

Yes. Both names refer to Vicia faba.

What are fava beans called in the UK?

They’re normally called broad beans.

Why do Americans call them fava beans?

It’s the common name used in much American cooking and food writing.

Are faba beans and fava beans the same?

Yes.

Are field beans broad beans?

They’re forms of the same botanical species, often smaller-seeded agricultural types.

Are horse beans the same as broad beans?

They’re forms of Vicia faba, although the term often refers to agricultural types.

Are fava beans larger than broad beans?

Not inherently. Seed size varies with cultivar and type.

Do fava beans taste different from broad beans?

No consistent difference exists solely because of the name. Variety, maturity and preparation matter.

Can you buy fava bean seeds in the UK?

Yes, including seeds sold under the broad bean name.

Can you grow American fava beans in Britain?

Potentially, provided the cultivar is suitable for UK conditions and seeds are obtained through lawful suppliers.

Do fava beans need a greenhouse?

No. Most are grown outdoors in the UK.

When do you plant fava beans in the UK?

Usually during autumn for suitable hardy varieties, or in late winter and spring.

Can you sow fava beans in October?

Yes, with an appropriate hardy cultivar and suitable soil.

Can you sow fava beans in November?

Yes, in suitable conditions.

Can you sow fava beans in February?

Yes, particularly in pots or modules under cover.

Can you sow fava beans in March?

Yes.

Can you grow fava beans in pots?

Yes, especially dwarf varieties.

Is Aquadulce Claudia a fava bean?

Yes.

Is The Sutton a fava bean?

Yes.

Do fava beans need support?

Tall varieties often do.

Do fava beans fix nitrogen?

Yes, in association with compatible bacteria.

Do fava beans get blackfly?

Yes.

When do you harvest fava beans in the UK?

Generally between late spring and summer, depending on sowing date and variety.

Can you eat young fava pods whole?

Yes, when they’re sufficiently young and tender.

What is double-podding?

Removing the outer skin of each individual bean after shelling.

Can you freeze fava beans?

Yes, following appropriate preparation.

Can you dry broad beans?

Yes.

Are dried fava beans the same as fresh broad beans?

They’re the same species but at a different stage of maturity and processing.

Are fava beans butter beans?

No. Butter beans are generally lima beans.

Are fava beans runner beans?

No.

Are broad beans nutritious?

Yes, they contain protein, fibre and various nutrients.

Are broad beans safe for everyone?

No. People with G6PD deficiency must avoid them because they can trigger favism.

Final Thoughts: Broad Beans and Fava Beans Are the Same Crop

So there we have it.

Broad beans and fava beans are the same plant.

Here in the UK, we’re used to calling them broad beans.

But when you see an American recipe referring to fava beans, it’s talking about the same species we grow on our allotments.

The botanical name is Vicia faba.

And whether your seed packet says broad beans, fava beans or faba beans, the growing requirements are generally the same.

What matters more is choosing the right variety.

If you want an early crop, Aquadulce Claudia is a familiar option for autumn sowing.

If you’re growing in containers, The Sutton is useful because of its compact size.

And if you’re planning a spring sowing, varieties such as Witkiem Manita are worth considering.

You’ll also notice that broad beans can look quite different depending on when they’re harvested.

Fresh young beans are usually green, tender and lovely to eat.

Dried fava beans are more mature and need different preparation.

That’s why some recipes make them seem like different vegetables.

But the plants themselves belong to the same species.

One thing I particularly enjoy about broad beans is how versatile they are.

You can sow suitable varieties during autumn, grow them through winter and enjoy an early harvest.

You can cook fresh beans with simple ingredients or use dried beans in traditional dishes.

And if you grow a productive crop, you can freeze the surplus to enjoy later.

So the next time you come across a gardening video or recipe talking about fava beans, you’ll know exactly what they’re referring to.

They’re the same fantastic vegetable we’ve been growing on British allotments for generations.

Keep smiling, keep shining, keep gardening with Ben!