Fava beans, also known as broad beans, are a springtime crop that is grown and eaten around the world. One of the oldest known cultivated plants, fava beans date back to about 6000 BCE and were eaten by the ancient Greeks, Romans, and settlers of the eastern Mediterranean. Today, fava beans are part of Asian, Middle Eastern, European, South American, and African cuisines. Fresh favas can be eaten raw, cooked, or dried for use later, and the versatile bean can be used for salads, stews, sauces, fillings, snacks, and more.