There are many types of peas, but the most common ones are garden peas, snow peas, sugar snap peas, and split peas. Each kind is a little different in how it looks, tastes, and how you eat it.
Garden peas, also called English peas, grow in a pod, but you only eat the round green peas inside. Snow peas have flat pods and tiny peas inside, and you eat the whole pod. They’re crisp and great in stir-fry. Sugar snap peas are like a mix of the two. They have plump pods you can eat, and they’re sweet and crunchy.
Split peas are dried peas, often used in soups. They come in green or yellow and turn soft when cooked. There are also other types like black-eyed peas, pigeon peas, and field peas. These are used in different world dishes and are full of flavor.
You can even find special peas like purple-podded or golden peas in gardens. Some peas are grown just for animals or to help the soil, not for eating. So, peas come in all shapes and uses. Whether fresh, dried, or in a soup, there’s a type of pea for just about everything.
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Did you know there are more than just “green peas” out there? Yep! Peas come in all sorts of shapes, colors, and flavors. From garden peas to black-eyed peas, this little legume family is way bigger than most people think.
Peas have been grown for thousands of years and used in everything from soups to curries. In this guide, I’ll walk you through the different types of peas, what makes each one special, and even give you some tips on how to grow or cook them. Whether you’re a home cook, a gardener, or just curious, you’re about to become a total pea pro!
Common Types of Peas You’ll Find in Stores
When you walk into a store, you might think there’s just one kind of pea. But guess what? There are a few different types, and each one is used in a different way. The most common kind is garden peas. These are also called English peas. You don’t eat the pod with these, you pop open the shell and eat the round green peas inside. They taste sweet and soft when cooked.
Then there are snow peas. These have flat pods, and you eat the whole thing, pod and all. They’re crunchy and often used in stir-fry or Asian dishes. Sugar snap peas are a little like snow peas, but their pods are round and super crisp. They’re sweet, and you can eat them raw or cooked. People love to snack on them right out of the bag.
Another kind you might see is split peas. These are dried and used in soups. They come in green or yellow and fall apart when cooked, which makes soup thick and creamy. Each of these peas has a different flavor and texture, but they all taste great in the right recipe.
Lesser-Known Edible Pea Varieties
Most people know green peas, but there are other kinds of peas that don’t get as much attention. Pigeon peas are one of them. They’re small, round, and kind of tan-colored. People use them in dishes like Indian dal or Caribbean rice and peas. They have a nutty taste and are full of protein.
Black-eyed peas are another one you might not think of right away. They’re white with a little black spot and are used a lot in Southern cooking. Ever heard of Hoppin’ John? That’s a dish with black-eyed peas and rice. These peas are soft when cooked and taste earthy and mild.
Field peas are also used in Southern food. They come in many colors like red, brown, or purple and are good in stews and soups. Chickpeas are another popular one. You might know them from hummus. Even though they’re called peas sometimes, chickpeas are actually a different kind of bean. But people often group them with peas because they’re similar.
These lesser-known peas might not be on every grocery shelf, but they’re worth trying. They taste great, and you can make all kinds of fun meals with them.
Peas Grown for Animal Feed or Soil Health
Not all peas are meant for people to eat. Some peas are grown just for animals or for helping the soil. These are called forage peas. Farmers grow them in big fields to feed cows, sheep, and other farm animals. They’re full of nutrients and help animals grow strong and healthy.
There are also peas called Austrian winter peas. These are not really for eating at all. Farmers plant them to protect the soil during the winter. The roots of these peas add something called nitrogen to the dirt, which makes it rich and ready for growing other crops later. This is called a cover crop. It helps keep the land healthy without using a lot of chemicals.
These peas usually don’t taste good to people, so you won’t see them in your kitchen. But they’re super important for farms. They help feed animals and make the ground better for growing fruits and vegetables. So even if we don’t eat them, they still do a big job.
Heirloom and Specialty Pea Varieties
Some peas are a little more special. These are called heirloom or specialty peas. Heirloom means the seeds have been saved and passed down for many years. They aren’t grown in big farms like regular peas, but gardeners love them because they’re unique.
One cool kind is the purple-podded pea. Yep, the pods are actually purple. They look really fun in the garden and taste just like garden peas. There’s also a golden sweet pea that has bright yellow pods. These peas are pretty and tasty, and you can eat the whole pod like a snow pea.
Marrowfat peas are another kind. They’re big and starchy and used to make mushy peas, which is a classic dish in England. These peas soak up flavor really well and are great for thick dips or spreads.
You won’t usually find these peas at regular grocery stores, but you can buy the seeds online or at garden shops. If you like growing your own food, heirloom peas are a fun choice. They come in cool colors and have amazing flavors that you don’t get from the ones in a can.
How to Identify Different Peas by Appearance and Taste
Peas might all seem the same at first, but if you look closely, they’re pretty different. Some peas come in round pods, while others have flat ones. Garden peas have thick pods you don’t eat, and inside are soft, round green peas. Snow peas have flat, thin pods and tiny peas inside. You eat the whole thing, and it’s super crunchy. Sugar snap peas are round like garden peas but with sweet pods you can eat.
Color can help too. Most peas are green, but some are yellow, purple, or even have little black spots like black-eyed peas. Pigeon peas are usually brown or tan and smaller than garden peas. Chickpeas are round, beige, and kind of bumpy.
The taste is also different. Garden peas are sweet and soft. Snow peas are mild and crunchy. Sugar snaps are super sweet and juicy. Black-eyed peas and pigeon peas are more earthy, with a nutty flavor. Split peas, when cooked, turn soft and creamy. Some peas are great raw, like sugar snaps. Others, like dried split peas, need to be cooked a long time.
Once you know what to look for, it’s easy to tell them apart. And it’s fun to try them all.
Growing Your Own Peas at Home
Growing peas at home is easier than you might think. You just need a little space, some good dirt, and the right kind of pea. Some types are better for warm places, and others like cooler weather. Garden peas, sugar snap peas, and snow peas all grow well in early spring when the air is still a bit chilly.
To get started, you plant the seeds right in the ground or in a pot. Push them in about an inch deep and water them gently. Peas grow on little vines, so they need something to climb. You can use a stick, a fence, or a net. As they grow, the plants will grab onto whatever’s nearby.
Peas don’t need a lot of care. Just give them some water when the soil feels dry. After a few weeks, you’ll start seeing flowers, and soon after that, little pods. Pick them when the pods are firm and full. The more you pick, the more peas the plant will grow.
Growing peas is fun, and you can eat them right off the plant. They taste so fresh when they’re just picked.
Cooking With Different Types of Peas
Peas are super fun to cook with because each kind has its own flavor and texture. Fresh peas like garden peas, sugar snaps, and snow peas are great for fast meals. You can toss them into stir-fries, boil them, or just eat them raw. Sugar snap peas are sweet and crunchy, so they’re great in salads or as a snack. Snow peas cook really fast and stay crispy, which makes them perfect for quick dishes.
Split peas are a little different. They come dried, so you have to soak them or cook them longer. People use them in soups and stews because they turn soft and creamy when boiled. Green and yellow split peas are both tasty and filling.
Pigeon peas and black-eyed peas are also popular in warm, hearty meals. You’ll find them in dishes like Indian curries, Southern stews, or Caribbean rice and peas. They soak up spices really well, which makes them super flavorful.
Each kind of pea has its best use. Some are good for crunchy snacks, and others are better for warm bowls of soup. Once you learn how each type works in the kitchen, you’ll never get bored with peas again.
Conclusion
So, how many types of peas are there? Way more than most people think. From garden peas and sugar snaps to black-eyed and pigeon peas, each one has something cool to offer. Some are sweet and crunchy. Some are soft and earthy. And a few aren’t even for eating, they help the soil or feed animals.
You can find peas in stores, grow them in your yard, or try them in new recipes from around the world. They’re healthy, easy to cook, and come in all kinds of shapes and colors. Once you start paying attention to peas, it’s kind of fun to see how different they all are.
Next time you’re cooking or planting something, give a new type of pea a try. You might just find a new favorite.