Do Fava Beans Go Bad?

Fava beans are long pod-shaped beans enclosing seeds within them. The seeds inside vary in shape and size, but most of them are round and are a major dietary fiber source. Fava beans belong to the family of green beans, but they differ in their culinary characteristics.

Fava beans have an earthy flavor. They are slightly sweet and less starchy in taste. Fava beans are usually served with artichokes or paired up with soups. They taste great when cooked with a bit of butter and salt.

Like any other green vegetable, they do go bad. The main cause contributing to their spoilage is fungal and microbial growth. To make them stay longer, you need to store them properly.

How to store fava beans?

Storing fava beans is just similar to the way you store green beans or lima beans. To know about the proper storing method and enjoy them throughout the season, continue reading this article. Following are the ways you can store fava beans

Keeping them in the pantry

Store fava beans in the pantry or a kitchen cabinet at a cool, dry place away from sunlight. You need to keep in mind that moisture and sunlight turn fava beans bad as moisture and light are welcoming factors for bacteria and mold growth. If you plan to use them within a week, it’s better to un shell them before cooking due to nutritional purposes.

Drying fava beans

Drying or dehydrating is the method used to increase the shelf life of food for months. There are several ways to dry them; if you live in a dry enough climate, you can leave your beans on vines, and once they get dry, you can pick and store them.

But in case you have bought them from the store, you can dry them by keeping them in a dry spot, or you can use a fan for drying them out.

When beans are fully dried, open them and take out seeds in the air for some time if there is any moisture. Put the shelled seeds in vacuum-sealed air-tight jars. Before cooking them need have to soak them.

Refrigerating fava beans

As you know, we use fresh fava beans for culinary purposes; we ate them raw, cooked in short we enjoy them in many different ways to make them last long; the best way is to refrigerate them. In the case of unshelled ones, you have to put them in a zip lock bag or use vegetable baskets. They can stay good in the fridge for up to two weeks.

Can you freeze fava beans?

Freezing fava bean is a great idea if you want to enjoy them throughout the season. You need to unzip the pod with the help of a knife as the legumes lie inside the fava bean pod. Blanch them in salted boiling water.

Once you are done with blanching, put the beans straight into ice water to stop the cooking. When they are completely chilled, drain and dry them. Take the freezer tray, line it with parchment paper, and get them on the tray.

Once they are frozen, you can pack them in any freezer bag or container if they won’t stick together.

How long do fava beans last?

Fava beans have a short shelf life like other veggies; you need to provide proper storage conditions. In the pantry, they can stay good for two to three days. Suppose kept at a cool, dry place.

There is always a risk as they can turn bad easily if exposed to any moisture. It’s better to utilize beans within two to three days if you don’t want to go for freezing.

In the refrigerator, they remain good for nine to ten days. Suppose stored properly away from other items in the refrigerator.

Refrigerating them is the second-best way to make them last longer. Cooked beans can last for two to three days in the fridge.

If you are fond of fava beans, taste and want to enjoy them with lentil soups or salads throughout the season-best way is to freeze them.

As in the freezer, their shelf life is extended to several months. Fava beans are delicate and ethylene-sensitive food, so you need to provide extra care while storing them.

How to tell if fava beans are bad?

You can easily tell whether your fava beans are good to go or not. Need your visual and olfactory sense to conclude fava beans are bad or not.

Following are the tips that can help you out while determining fava beans are good enough for cooking or not

• Always select beans that are bright green in color and lightweight. Mature fava beans get lumpy, and their color changes to yellow-green. Mature beans are more prone to mold growth so go for young and small-sized beans.
• Another way is to smell them; if they smell off, don’t go for them
• The best way is to examine the pod; if you see any blackened heads, avoid using such beans.
• If their texture is lumpy and squashy, it’s time to discard them.

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