Hoffmann's Reina Blanca

Family: Fabaceae Legume

Hoffmann's Reina Blanca unfurls with a clean, luminous presence—pods that feel satisfyingly substantial and hold tender, creamy interiors.

The flavor is sweet and softly nutty, with a smooth, velvety texture that shines in fresh preparations and becomes especially expressive when gently warmed for dips and spreads. Grow it for a garden-to-table harvest that’s as elegant as it is abundant, with pods that mature in a steady, rewarding rhythm around day 75.

Light: Full SunMaturity: 75 DaysHabit: Bush

Botanical illustration of Hoffmann's Reina Blanca

Planting schedules and alerts are optimized for Columbus (Zone 6b).

Crop Dates

Milestone	Date
Start Indoors	Direct Sow
Last Frost	Apr 25th
Transplant / Sow Outdoors	Apr 25th
Harvest Begins	Jul 9th
Harvest Ends	Oct 16th

Crop Details

Trait	Value
Days to Maturity	75
Sun Requirements	Full Sun
Growth Habit	Bush
Support Needed	None
Planting Depth	Normal
Germination Temp (°F)	55
Min Soil Temp (°F)	45
Min Night Temp (°F)	28
Harden Off (days)	Not Required

Culinary Notes

Chef's Note

This is a fava built for tenderness: once warmed, the inside goes from creamy to downright silky, without turning chalky. Use it peeled for maximum smoothness—then let lemon, olive oil, and mint do the crisp, spring-bright framing.

Best Uses

flash-blanch and peel for a bright dressed bean salad
gently warm and purée into a thick, spoonable spread or dip
fold into spring pastas where the beans coat evenly
char lightly and finish with salt and acidic herbs

Flavor Profile

sweet, softly nutty flavor tender, creamy interior velvety bite that turns silky when warmed

Kitchen Pairings

lemon garlic olive oil fresh mint parmesan burrata

Frequently Asked Questions

What pest or disease should I watch for on Vicia faba (Hoffmann’s Reina Blanca), and how do I control it?

Look for aphids and chocolate-brown spots or rust-like spotting on leaves; Vicia faba commonly suffers from sap-sucking aphids and fungal leaf issues in warm, humid weather. Spray an insecticidal soap directly on aphid hotspots and remove heavily infected leaves early to slow spread. If leaf spotting is persistent, improve airflow by thinning around plants and avoid overhead watering so foliage dries quickly.

How often should I water Vicia faba during the main growing phase?

During pod fill (roughly mid-season through maturity at ~75 days), keep soil evenly moist but not waterlogged—about 1 inch of water per week, split into 2–3 watering days if it’s hot or windy. Check the top 1–2 inches of soil: water when it feels just slightly dry on the surface, and hold back if drainage is poor to prevent root stress.

How can I tell when Hoffmann’s Reina Blanca (Vicia faba) is ready to harvest?

Harvest when pods are fully swollen and the seeds inside are firm and well-developed, usually around 75 days from sowing. Pick pods before they turn tough/dry and before seeds show signs of hardening—snapping a pod open should reveal beans that hold their shape and are not shriveled. If you prefer fully tender beans, harvest a little earlier while pods still look glossy.