Superaguadulce

Family: Fabaceae Legume

A velvet-sweet, garden-fresh fava with a distinctly creamy bite and a tender, succulent pod that feels plush at first touch.

Superaguadulce matures with substantial, well-filled pods and a rich, mellow flavor that shines in simple preparations—ideal for spooning straight from the pod, folding into hearty sautés, and turning into silky purées for dips and spreads.

Light: Full SunMaturity: 85 DaysHabit: Bush

Botanical illustration of Superaguadulce

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 19th
Harvest Ends	Oct 16th

Crop Details

Trait	Value
Days to Maturity	85
Sun Requirements	Full Sun
Growth Habit	Bush
Support Needed	None
Planting Depth	Normal
Germination Temp (°F)	60
Min Soil Temp (°F)	40
Min Night Temp (°F)	28
Harden Off (days)	Not Required

Culinary Notes

Chef's Note

Superaguadulce lives or dies on texture: the beans go creamy and tender fast, so cook just until plush and keep the flavor bright with salt and lemon. It’s a fava built for minimal prep—straight from the pod, or puréed into a spread that stays smooth instead of chalky.

Best Uses

squeeze-and-eat pods straight for a spoonable, cream-forward snack
quick sauté with olive oil and garlic so the beans stay plush, not starchy
blend into a silky purée/dip (season aggressively with salt and acid)
fold into hearty sautés and grain bowls for a spoon-first texture

Flavor Profile

velvety-sweet vegetal richness creamy, tender interior bite subtle nutty finish

Kitchen Pairings

extra-virgin olive oil lemon garlic parmesan fresh mint smoked bacon

Frequently Asked Questions

What pest or disease commonly affects Vicia faba (superaguadulce/longpod broad beans), and what should I do?

Broad beans (Vicia faba) are especially prone to black aphids, which cluster on young shoots and can trigger sooty mold and stunted growth. Spray clusters with a strong jet of water first, then use insecticidal soap if they persist, and remove heavily infested tips. Watch for chocolate-brown patches and leaf spotting that can signal fungal leaf diseases; keep plants spaced for airflow and avoid overhead watering.

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

During pod-fill (roughly mid-season through to maturity), keep the soil evenly moist—about 1 inch (2.5 cm) of water per week, adjusted for rainfall and heat. Water deeply when the top 1 inch (2–3 cm) of soil dries, rather than frequent light sprinkles. Inconsistent moisture during flowering and early pod development leads to poor pod set, so don’t let the soil swing between dry and waterlogged.

How do I tell when to harvest Vicia faba ‘superaguadulce’ (about 85 days)?

Harvest when pods are firm and well-filled but still tender—typically when seeds inside are sized like small-to-medium beans and the pod is not hard. For fresh eating, pick earlier for smaller, sweeter beans; for shelling, wait until the seeds are fuller and the pods are holding their shape. If you squeeze a pod lightly, it should feel taut rather than leathery, and mature pods will often show pronounced swelling along the seeds.