Broad beans are one of the oldest plants in cultivation as they are easy to grow. The young bean plants are susceptible to black bean aphid, but it is easy to control if you remove the young growing shoots at the first sign of infection. They are usually eaten out of their pods, although very small pods and young leaves can also be eaten. The youngest beans are by far the tenderest and sweetest and best eaten raw or steamed. They are used in a wide range of dishes across the world but are generally overlooked in the UK.