peas – keannaartist.com

“Peas,” watercolor.

Six edible peas (technically seeds) in a pod. 😉 This legume originated in the Mediterranean. And of course, thanks to European colonization, it made its way across the globe. Now, there are 3 major types with numerous varieties among them. Here’s a breakdown of them as follows ^[1]:

English Peas | Botanical name: Pisum sativum

English peas, also known as shell peas and garden peas are the most common type of peas. Garden peas have smooth and fleshy, cylindrical green pods that are curved and plump. Since their pod is tough and fibrous, it cannot be digested and this variety of peas needs to be shelled. They contain plump, round, sweet-tasting seeds.

The varieties:

Spring Peas

Survivor Peas

Wando Peas

Garden Sweet

Thomas Laxton

Early Perfection

Lincoln Peas

Mr. Big Peas

Maestro

Little Marvel

Misty Shell

Snow Peas | Botanical name: Pisum sativum var. saccharatum

Snow peas are also known as Chinese peas because they are used in a lot of Chinese cuisines. They are also known by their French name “mangetout,” which means to eat it all. You can instantly recognize snow peas form garden peas as they have an almost flat shell with no distinct pea-shape inside. Unlike garden peas, these peas have edible pods and in fact, are grown for their pods rather than the seeds inside.

The varieties:

Snowbird

Sugar Daddy

Gray Sugar

Mammoth Melting Sugar

Oregon Sugar Pods

Oregon Sugar Pod #2

Avalanche Peas

Sugar Snap Peas | Botanical name: Pisum sativum var. marcrocarpon

At first glance, sugar snap peas look almost identical to the garden peas. However, the sugar snap can be differentiated by the shape of its pea pod, which is slightly more cylindrical than the garden pea variety. Sugar snap peas are a hybrid of snow peas and a mutant garden pea. Therefore, these peas contain properties of both of its parent pea varieties.

Like garden peas, the seeds are allowed to become round and plump before they are shelled. However, the pods of sugar snap peas are thick, crisp, and crunchy and can be eaten. These peas do not need to be shelled and are cooked with their pods, like snow peas.

Sugar snap peas are also more tolerant of hot weather than garden peas.

The varieties:

Sugar Bon

Sugar Snap

Super Snappy

Super Sugar Snap VP

Sugar Ann

Peas Nutrition Label

Although peas are known to generate mixed feelings regarding its taste and texture, one cannot deny the nutritional benefits. Check out the facts! It’s loaded, with protein, fiber, vitamins, and minerals.

Enjoy peas raw, steamed, creamed into soup, combined with rice, etc. You can even enjoy it in a salad. Chef Renée‘s got a recipe for Sugar Snap Peas & Chicken Salad (she even shows how to make flavored salt!). Check it out below. The chef also caters and hosts a television show, “Simply Chef Renée” which airs in parts of Connecticut and Massachusetts.