El Poble Nou de Benitatxell has experienced an unforgettable weekend where gastronomy and tradition have gone hand in hand in the edition of Mitjafava Fest 2026. Hundreds of neighbours and visitors immersed themselves in a proposal designed to value the fava poblera, which once again demonstrated its prominence as a cultural and culinary engine of the municipality in a festive and close atmosphere.
The fuse of the festival was lit on Wednesday with the presentation of the children’s story ‘Lola & Vitamino. The adventure of learning to eat healthy’, by its author Ángela Devesa. On the same day, the mobile game ‘La Fava Exterminadora’ and the ethnological exhibition ‘Els oficis’ of the MACMA also began.
It was the perfect prelude to what was to come. After the success of the previous edition, the Biomoscatell Association repeated its wine tasting with pairing at the Social Centre on Thursday. On this occasion, the experience was in charge of sommelier Raúl Caselles, from Miguel of Xàbia Winery. Attendees were able to taste the wines of Rafa Cañizares winery, the soul of the renowned Bodegas Volver (Pinoso).
On Friday, the signature chef took over with the Showcooking offered by the cook and gastronomic disseminator María Albero (@saboreanda) and the chef of Dexcaro Carlos G. Moreno. They cooked two dishes with broad bean that could then be tasted for free. The event was presented by the content creator Elena Vidal (@alicantestreetstyle), and enlivened with the music of the saxophonist Alfredo Ripoll.
Saturday was the day dedicated to merge the agricultural roots with the festive pulse of the municipality. The morning began by connecting with the land thanks to the visit to the experimental terrace of the fava poblera, where attendees were able to learn about this native crop up close before enjoying a tasting of typical products organized by Biomoscatell Association. The town centre was filled with colour and tradition at noon with the popular dansà starring the Grup de Danses Morro Falquí and the Colla la Llebetjà, a sample of Valencian popular culture that served as a prelude to the great display of the afternoon.
From 5:30 p.m., the focus of attention moved to the tent on Valencia Avenue with the ‘Tardet Pobler’, a space for coexistence that offered everything from workshops and family games such as ‘La Fava Exterminadora’ to responsible leisure ideas with the 0’0 cocktail bar of the Council for Children and Adolescence (CLIA). Popular culture reached its maximum expression with the imposing performance of Muixeranga de la Marina Alta, giving way to a musical marathon that covered various styles with Spicy Cherries, Tres Fan Ball, Bèrnia and Esther, to end the night with the energy of La Xe-Ranga and the session of Fiona Onix DJ Set in a venue that had tapas and drinks service at popular prices.
Sunday’s closing was the epicentre of the excitement. The Tapifava Festival showed that the broad bean has no borders, and that with this humble legume you can make real delicacies. The success was resounding: innovative dishes and an audience that did not leave a single tapa on the counters.
In the field of contests, competitiveness was maximum. There was a tie between the duo Izan García and Toni López and Josefa Devesa in the category of the fava amb més gallons (the broad bean with more seeds), with 10 gallons. The triumph of the longest fava went to Francisco Llobell, with a 50 cm bean. The prize for the winner of the first tournament of ‘La Fava Exterminadora’ was also presented to the player ‘Manelasso’.
BioMoscatell homemade wine contest once again highlighted local know-how. The big winners of this edition were:
The festive atmosphere was marked by live music with the concerts of Canta Canalla and Músics de Carrer, which set the rhythm to a morning of great influx. As a final touch, the Council wanted to express its sincere gratitude to all the people who make this festival possible year after year. The involvement of local bars and restaurants was especially highlighted for their creativity in their cuisine, as well as the fundamental work of the associations, the commitment of the municipal staff and the enthusiastic participation of the neighbours and the attending public. Thanks to this joint effort, El Poble Nou de Benitatxell manages to keep alive a tradition that defines its identity and highlights its most local product.
