In Greece, the broad bean had its own god - Kyamites, who watched over the cultivation, and sacrifices were made to him when they prayed for better harvests.

In Greece, broad beans were considered the source of life. Greek athletes ate it before training to improve their performance.

Sometimes broad bean seeds were used in politics as "votes" in elections. Two varieties of broad beans were used during elections by throwing them into the ballot boxes: white (yes) and black (no).