Fava bean flour is a product made from grinding dried fava beans.
Raw materials used in production.
- The main raw material for producing fava bean flour is, naturally, fava beans, a nutritious legume rich in protein.
Step-by-step summary of industrial production process.
- Cultivation and Harvesting. Fava beans are grown and harvested once they mature.
- Cleaning and Selection. The beans are cleaned and selected to ensure quality and uniformity.
- Drying. The beans are dried to remove moisture.
- Grinding. The dried beans are then ground into a fine flour.
- Sifting. The flour is sifted to ensure uniformity and a fine texture.
Form and color.
Fava bean flour has a pale yellow color and a powdery, fine consistency.
Commercial applications.
Used in various food applications like bread, pasta, sweets, and gluten-free alternatives. It is also used as a thickener for soups and sauces.
Bakery Products. Fava bean flour is used in various baked goods like bread, crackers, and similar products to add protein and an earthy flavor.
Gluten-Free Alternative. Often used as a gluten-free alternative to wheat flour in various recipes.
Binding Agent. Can be utilized as a binding agent in various preparations, especially in vegan ones where it can replace eggs.
Plant Protein. Culinary-wise, it's used to boost the protein content in meals and snacks.
Safety
In general, fava is a food that can potentially be incorporated into dietary strategies to manage parkinsonian motor oscillations (1), however care should be taken with excessive consumption of fava beans. Some clinical cases have revealed its dangerousness under certain conditions (1).
References_____________________________________________________________________
(1) Kempster PA, Bogetic Z, Secombei JW, Martin HD, Balazs ND, Wahlqvist ML. Motor effects of broad beans (Vicia faba) in Parkinson's disease: single dose studies. Asia Pac J Clin Nutr. 1993 Jun;2(2):85-9.
(2) Lambea-Gil A, María-Ángeles, Requena-Calleja, Horna-Cañete L. Levodopa-Induced Dyskinesias Related to Vicia faba Ingestion in a Parkinson's Disease Patient. Neurol India. 2021 Nov-Dec;69(6):1878-1879. doi: 10.4103/0028-3886.333436. PMID: 34979720.