Healthy Vegetable Diet - Beans- Legume to Chickpea
By Pamela99
Varities of Pulses
Chick Peas
Difference Between Peas and Beans
Different types of pulses (legumes) have been eaten for thousands of years and you can choose from a large variety of pulses. They are grown around the world. Pulses belong to the family of Leguminous, which gets its name from the characteristic pod or legume that protects the seeds while they are forming.
Pulses are an annual leguminous crop yielding one to twelve grains or seeds of different colors, shapes and sizes grown within a pod. According to the Food and Agricultural Organization pulses are annual crops yielding 1-12 seeds of variable size, shape, and color within a pod that is used for food and animal feed. The word pulse is used to describe crops harvested solely for the dry grain. Crops such as green beans or green peas are considered a green vegetable. Crops that are mainly grown for oil extraction are also excluded, such as soybeans and peanuts. Good examples of pulses are black eyed peas, lima beans, red or green lentils, chickpeas and pigeon peas.
Books on Pulses
 | Amazon Price: $12.95 |
 | Amazon Price: $215.73 List Price: $249.00 |
There are three criteria to know the difference between peas and beans:
- Specific climate conditions are necessary for growth; Peas are a cool season legume and they are more tolerant of cold temperatures.
- The growing structure and support; Pea plants in pods grown on a vine. Beans typically grow in a pod or on a bush.
- Take into account the growing season; Peas mature quickly and are ready for harvest from 70-90 days. Beans mature more slowly and are ready for harvest in 85-115 days.
As a further example of US farmed legumes dry peas, being the mature peas are the pulses, while the immature peas in the fresh green pod is a green vegetable. Lentils are pluses with lens shaped seeds. Another pulse is a chickpea which are shaped with a beak resembling that of a baby chick; these are also called garbanzo beans. Soybeans are called the complete protein but are not pulses. Peanuts are also not pulses.
Legumrs Now Being Used In Schools
Nutritional Value of Legumes
Pulses are similar in nutrition as they are rich in protein, carbohydrates, fiber and they are low in fat. Furthermore, they are important sources of Vitamin B. Fresh pulses contain Vitamin C, but it declines after harvesting and is completely gone after they are dried. Pulses are typically eaten for their high protein content, particularly by vegetarians. As an example, haricot beans, which are used to make baked beans, per 100 g of dried beans there is 21.4 g protein, 1.6 g fat, 45.5 g carbohydrates, 25.4 g fiber, 6.7 mg iron and 180 mg of calcium. Haricot beans have 100 calories in ½ cup of cooked beans. Green lentils contain high levels of proteins, including essential amino acids isoleucine and lysine. Plus, they are an essential source of inexpensive protein in many parts of the world. They also contain dietary fiber, folate, Vitamin B1, iron and other minerals.
Pulse Peas and Beans
Purchasing Pulses and Cooking
Another advantage of pulses is they store well for long periods of time. Since there are some insects that like to attack pulses, ideally they should be stored in an airtight container in a dark, cool place, such as a pantry.
When you go to purchase pulses look for a bright color with a plump appearance, unbroken, evenly sized, pick them over to remove grit and husks and take care not to allow them to ferment while soaking. Most pulses require soaking before cooking to help reconstitute and shorten the cooking time. One exception would be lentils. Use cold water and bring to boil, and then allow to stand. The volume in the pot will double, so you must use a large pot. All pulses should be cooked with a slow simmer, stirring occasionally. Salt and acid ingredients toughen pulse skins and should be added after the pulse is cooked. Rapid boiling with red kidney beans is recommended to destroy a poisonous enzyme, and then cook on low heat to finish.
There are other ways to cook pulses and some of the dishes that are easily recognized that contain pulses are baked beans, Boston baked beans and white beans with port. There are a number of various bean salads which use pulses, plus soups, with Lentil soup probably being one of the better known.
In conclusion, pulses are inexpensive, come in many varieties, are nutritious, easy to store and easy to cook. That cannot be said of very many foods we consume
Adding Pulses to Your Diet
Now that you have read this hub will try more pulses in your diet?
See results without votingThe copyright to this article is owned by Pamela Oglesby. Permission to republish this article in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.
HubMob
- Coffee as a Flavor in Cooking
Recently I've discovered the amazing world of coffee as a flavor in food. Drinking coffee has its perks for some people, but I've never relished the dark, bitter taste of black coffee, and I've never... - 24 months ago
- Beans and rice: protein for vegetarians
Can vegetarians get complete nutrition if they never eat meat? You bet. And all it takes are two simple, timeless ingredients: beans and rice. - 24 months ago
- Everything you always wanted to know About Roquefort cheese
Considered a European luxury product in the United States, in France a piece of Roquefort along with a freshly baked bread is staple food for farmers! What is so special about Roquefort... - 24 months ago
Make Money on Hubpages -Sign up Today
Some of my nutrition hubs.
- Changing Nutritional Trends Change Our Diets
There are changing trends in food as new products are developed and as science finds some things to be safe or necessary for good health and it also finds some items to be unsafe. Generally many people are... - Vegetarian Lifestyle Increasing in Popularity
More more people are choosing a vegetarian lifestyle today for many reasons. Most do so because they believe in the rights of animals. This has become a popular trend in Hollywood with Drew Barrymore, Kim... - Avoid Vitamin B12 Deficiencies with Vegetarian Diets
Look for good sources of B12 if you are a vegetarian. Vitamin B12 is a water soluble vitamin that helps to maintain healthy nerve cells and red blood cells. It is necessary to make DNA, the genetic material...
Comments
I love beans! Great hub!
Pamela - thanks for the beans / peas / legumes / pulses education. Very thorough. Heretofore, I always thought a pulse was an indication you are still alive.
Whatever they are called...they pack great nutritional value. Pulses are 20 to 25% protein by weight, which is double the protein content of wheat and three times that of rice. Eat more beans!
Thank you for putting all these informative points together. I learned a lot from it. I love baked beans.
Pamela
If Peas and Beans were politicians the Peas would definitely be the Republicans while Beans would be Democrats.
Peas are cool and more tolerant; definitely a Republican Characteristic! Peas also mature quickly and are ready for the world sooner!
Democratic Beans mature more slowly; some the maturation process skips all together. They all want to fly off with Peter Pan to Never Never Land where everything is equal and you simply fly over trouble; aka Captain Hook!
Tom (who's already on the right track), Wanderlust (you are also on the right track),
drbj, Yes I thought the pulse was what we checked to make sure we were alive also! Very funny.
Bail-up, you figured out the math very quickly.
Hello, I'm glad you liked the hub and the beans.
Patriot,I like the way you can fit politics into anything. I want to thank you all for your wonderful comments and I enjoyed a bit of comedy as well. I didn't know the difference between pulses and beans so I actually just finished a second hub on beans.
Pamela, Now you've done it I am so hungry, gotta go grab a handful of raw nuts. Love this pulses legumes and chicpea hub. Great review. Thanks and Peace :)
Katiem, I'm glad you enjoyed the hub and at least you will be eating healthy. Thanks for the comment.
I wrote about beans, too. Great minds!
Habee, Thanks for your comment. There are a lot of bean hubs with the contest starting.
Hi again pamela99,
Very useful and great content . Fine work on this Hub !
Thank you.
Ron
As always also a2z50
rprcarz, Thank you so much for your comments.
It's easy to forget about these but they are so good for us!
akirchner, I agree but now you will probably be more aware of them. Thanks for your comment.
Nice info on all these beans.
Sandy, Thank you for your comment.
Nice article and info Pamela! I am a vegetarian so enjoyed even more reading about difference between peas and beans. For vegetarians pulses and milk are the main source of proteins.
soumyasrajan, Thank you so much for your comment. As a vegetarian it is important to know where to get all the important nutrients your body needs and it sounds like you do that well.
Great Hub on beans. Now I need to go to the store. Pulses in regard to beans was news to me.
Roberta, Thank you so much for your comments.
I thought black-eyed peas were 'peas'. Never heard of pigeon peas or haricut beans. Having said that, this article is very educational!! Have plenty of pulse and beans in cabinet. As you stated, inexpensive, last long in pantry and very healthy for us. Voted up/rated!
Support Med, The only thing I know about Haricut beans is they are white and in the family of the great nothern beans. Thanks for your comment.
AS some of seeds in pulse do not soften even after cooking, but remain very hard.What is the reason?
Prem Sagar, The only thing I know of that can affect the peas not becoming soft is if you live in a very high elevation. They would take much longer to cook in that case. Sorry I can't be of any more help. Thanks for commenting.
Great Hub Pamela99. When I was a teen I stopped eating meat because I felt bad about people killing animals.My mom was very worried. I became a carnivor again in my 20's. Two years ago at the age of 90 my diabetic mom became a vegan and began eating pulses and soya.My turn to worry that she wouldn't get enough protein. Mom's fine and her blood sugar leveled out.
marshacanada, That's an interesting turn of events and thank you for sharing them. I appreciate your comments.
Love this hub on the varieties of pulses. Your layout and descriptions are wonderful! Definately voting this one up, sharing and linking to my Eating Healthy~Feeling Great Series "Lovely Legumes". Thanks for sharing this vital information! Lisa
Rusticliving, I will be interesting in checking out your series and I appreciate your including the link to this hub. Thanks for your comments.
Tom Whitworth 24 months ago
Pamela,
All this time I was eating pulses without knowing what they were. A crock pot is useful in preparation.