The Lemon Fool

We conventionally eat some beans in their pods (e.g. runner beans), but discard pods from other beans (e.g. broad beans). Similarly garden peas vs sugar snap peas or mange tout.

Why the convention?

I think it may be peculiarly British. As a child I used to eat and enjoy broad beans complete with pods, as presented by my (non-British) mother.

And do people have uses for discarded pods - for example in a stock?

Broad beans in the pod are fine if you take the pods early, once past a certain age you are better taking the beans. I really enjoy the beans out of their outer cover. (that is out of the pod then remover the bean outer cover). A wonderful treat but short lived.