Stove Fava Beans

Stove Fava Beans

　　Stove Fava Beans

　　A unique specialty of Xiazao Village, Anfeng Town, Dongtai City. During the Ming and Qing dynasties, they were listed as an “imperial tribute.” These fava beans are flat and round in shape, about the size of a thumb, with a slight depression in the middle of the bean that resembles a cow’s hoof—hence their common name “Cow’s Hoof Flat.” Strangely, if “Cow’s Hoof Flat” beans are grown elsewhere—even just across a ridge from Xiazao Village—the resulting beans look completely different, either smaller in size or inferior in taste.

　　Temples and nunneries in the area all competed to use “Cow’s Hoof Flat” fava beans to make bean paste for noodles and soups, yielding a broth as white as milk and a delicious flavor. The Xinghua scholar Li Chunfang came to Anfeng to study under Wang Gen, and whenever fresh green beans were in season, he and his teacher loved to pick and enjoy them. Later, when Li Chunfang became a prime minister, he presented the “Cow’s Hoof Flat” large fava beans as an imperial tribute to the emperor, who praised them. From then on, “Xiazao Fava Beans” were offered as an annual tribute, and officials were also assigned to purchase and transport fresh and dried beans for imperial meals. Both the Ming and Qing dynasties continued this tradition. At that time, Xiazao Village became known as the “Imperial Bean Garden.” It is said that when Han Guojun served as the governor of Jiangsu Province, he used these fava beans to entertain - and Chen Yi, and also gave them as local specialties. Chen Yi specially shared this gift with wounded soldiers to let them try something new, which became a well-known anecdote. When shelled, the beans are milky white in color, and when cooked, the flesh becomes creamy and has a tender, delicious texture. Dried beans can be used to make “Orchid Bean Paste.”