Broad Bean/Fava - Martoc

Martoc is the shorter and earlier of the two with this name, with the typical white flowers with a black dot in the centre. Martock is a village in Somerset which has given its name to the oldest broad bean cultivar in England, where records of it go back to the 12th century. The upright pods are in clusters and usually contain 2-4 small, almost round tan seeds, like modern field favas. In medieval times, Martock beans were usually dried and then subsequently used in soups, stews and gruels, the mainstay of the medieval peasants’ winter diet. Jim grew two samples of this fava which proved to be different so we are offering them both, under the names they came with.

Vicia faba