Green Peas

Also Known As : Garden peas, English peas, Shell peas, Matar

Technical Name : Pisum sativum

Descriptions
details

Vegetarian

Taste Profile

Green peas have a sweet and starchy taste.

Usage Tips

To obtain green peas first remove string and open the pod. To remove the peas run a finger along the opening.
They can be eaten raw and cooked both. They can be added to salads, soups, pies, casseroles, stir-fries, curries, made into dips and spreads.
Their shells can be used to add flavor to vegetable stock. To obtain the best flavor and texture it is best to shell green peas when using immediately.
They are best stored in the refrigerator in mesh bags. Peas can also be blanched and frozen for months or even dried for future use.

Common names and forms

Fresh peas
Frozen Green Peas
Mashaparni
Mutter
Pea
Peas
Peas (Green)
Safal Frozen Peas

Description

Green peas are widely used all over the world. They are considered as vegetable but are actually legumes that grow on long, curling vines belonging to the Fabaceae family. Green peas consist of green coloured pods that are slightly curved in shape and have a smooth texture. On opening the pods, green and rounded seeds or peas are found. They are usually available from winter season to early-summers. They are one of the largest cultivated and consumed legume since thousands of years, infact it is one of the first food crops to be cultivated by humans. They have originated from the field pea that grown initially in central Asia and the Middle East. Canada at present ranks as the largest producer and exporter of green peas. India, France, China, and Russia also produce green peas on a large-scale. Green peas are widely consumed in both fresh and dried form.

Health benefits

Green peas are rich in fiber, which helps in good digestion by adding bulk to the stools and promoting gut bacteria that prevent digestive conditions like irritable bowel syndrome, inflammatory bowel disease and colon cancer.⁽¹⁾
They have a low glycemic index that is very helpful in regulating blood sugar levels especially in conditions like diabetes.⁽¹⁾
They have a high antioxidant content which lowers inflammation in the body. The presence of saponins in them may help prevent cancer as well as inhibit tumor growth.⁽¹⁾

Selection Guide

Choose green peas whose pods are firm, smooth and plump. They should have a bright green appearance without any discolouration. Avoid flat pods as it indicates the seeds inside are immature. Do not buy those green peas that have moisture or mildew on them.

Note

Green peas contain antinutrients like phytic acid and lectins that tends to interfere with the absorption of nutrients in the body and may also cause digestive distress like bloating and gas.⁽²⁾

Resource & Links

(1,2) https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/green-peas-are-healthy

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