Pea residues were found in Neanderthal teeth dating back about 46,000 years ago, and it is believed that peas were used as a staple food around 23,000 years ago and were domesticated about 11,000 years ago. They are a genetically complex plant and it has not yet been determined how they were domesticated. Peas were first cultivated at Jerf el Ahmar, in Syria, around 9300 BC and were specifically chosen for their soft pod and for maturing during the rainy season. Since peas were not well regarded by the Romans, the plant had a slow migration into Europe and was considered a food consumed during Lent in the Middle Ages. The plant arrived in the New World with the Pilgrims who ate it during their long journey to America and it became one of their first crops.
Peas require cool temperatures and can mature up to nine feet in length. The plant’s stem is hollow and needs to be supported. The plant produces compound leaves that grow alternately with two large stipules or realistic growths at the base of the leaf stem. The flowers grow from five fused green bracts and produce five petals that can be purple, pink, or white.
The petals vary in size with the two central petals fused together forming a boat and are called the “keel.” The top petal is the largest, and the two smaller petals at the base are called “wings.” The plant produces a pod that matures from one to four inches in length containing a rough inner membrane. The seeds can be round, smooth, or wrinkled and vary in color to include green, yellow, brown, reddish-orange, beige, dark purple, or spotted.
Properties and benefits of peas
- Peas are rich in nutrients including vitamins A, C, and B6. Minerals present in peas include calcium, magnesium, potassium, and iron. Peas also contain protein, sugar, and dietary fiber.
- They are low in calories and the fiber satisfies appetite, making peas an excellent food for those following a weight loss diet.
- The protein content of peas is an excellent alternative to meat, reducing the risk of developing cardiovascular diseases and the incidence of heart attack and stroke.
- Peas are also a food that prevents cancer and studies have shown that this is due to their content of antioxidants and phytochemicals.
- Peas are a good food to prevent the development of diabetes as they slow the release of glucose into the blood and absorption during digestion. Peas are also recommended for celiacs as a gluten-free protein source.
How to eat peas
Peas can be used in different ways. They can be eaten raw in salads or as a snack. They are excellent steamed and served as a side dish. They can be stir-fried as an ingredient in Asian dishes. Peas are used as an ingredient in soups and stews. They can be frozen and do not need to be thawed before use. There are also dried varieties that have a long shelf life and split peas for soups and other recipes.
