What does fava mean?
A fava is the seed of Vicia faba, an Old World legume better known in Britain as the broad bean. The word comes from Italian, ultimately from Latin faba, meaning simply "bean," which explains why English speakers almost always pair it with its own translation: "fava bean." Favored in American and Italian-influenced cooking, young favas are prized for their buttery texture and mild, slightly nutty sweetness, while mature dried favas appear in dishes across the Mediterranean and Middle East, including falafel and Egyptian ful medames. Preparing fresh favas takes some work — they typically require shelling and often blanching to remove the tough outer skin — but cooks consider the effort worthwhile at the height of spring. Beyond the kitchen, the plant has long been grown as a cover crop because it fixes nitrogen in the soil. The word carries no figurative weight; it is a straightforward culinary and botanical term.
nounA fava is the seed of a plant of the bean family, Vicia faba, widely cultivated for food; the term usually appears in the plural or attributively in "fava bean," especially in American English.
- The broad bean, Vicia faba, or its edible seed (usually as "fava bean").
"The spring menu featured tender fava beans sautéed with garlic and olive oil."
"She shelled a basket of fresh favas on the back porch."
"Hannibal Lecter's chilling line about liver and fava beans made the humble legume unforgettable."
The regular plural "favas" is standard; the singular "fava" is less common outside attributive use.
"The recipe calls for two pounds of fresh favas."
The word "fava" is literally just Italian and Latin for "bean" — so a "fava bean" means, delightfully, "bean bean."
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of fava
The English word "fava" was borrowed from Italian fava, meaning "bean." The Italian term descends directly from Latin faba, the classical word for the broad bean, which also gives its name to the legume family Fabaceae and to the adjective "fabaceous." English had long used the native compound "broad bean" before adopting the Italian form, which became common in American English through exposure to Italian cuisine.
Related word forms
How fava is actually used
"Fava" derives from Italian usage and is chiefly North American; British speakers overwhelmingly say "broad bean." The word rarely stands alone except among cooks and gardeners, who use it both for the plant and the shelled seed. It is a neutral, everyday term with no figurative senses.
Easily confused with fava
Falafel is a Middle Eastern dish of fried chickpea or fava-bean patties, whereas a fava is simply the bean itself.