Broad beans are an edible crop, nutritionally providing nineteen carbohydrates and eight protein. Broad beans are one of the earliest crops to plant, sprouting in April, maturing in one hundred and ten days, and withering in November. Broad beans grow in groups of up to five plants, and each plant may produce five fistfuls of beans.

Ten fistfuls of broad beans can be cooked into six pounds of broad bean stew.