Peas
Pea is an annual herb belonging to the legume family. Its fruits are pods with spherical seeds - peas. The leaves are pinnate and end with branched tendrils, with which they cling to other plants. A three-ribbed column with a groove at the bottom and a tuft of hairs at the top serves as a generic feature in the flower. Depending on the structure of the bean leaves, shelling and sugar varieties of peas are distinguished.
The modern varieties of this plant are supposedly descended from peas, which came from Central Asia and Europe. Pea is mentioned in the Bible, it was highly valued by ancient civilizations. And if in Ancient Greece, peas were usually eaten by ordinary people, then several centuries later in Europe he acquired the status of a delicacy and took pride of place in the royal menu. Peas were also introduced to Russia in antiquity. In the 6th century, more tender varieties of these beans appeared, and people began to consume them fresh.
Peas come in different varieties, and, accordingly, in different colors. Green peas, in contrast to yellow, are harvested in unripe form. In addition, the first type is different from the yellow and taste, it is much sweeter. Grains are produced from dried peas: polished and split split peas polished and split yellow or green peas. Pea chop is not used for cooking, but the flour from this product has found its place in many delicious and unusual dishes from different countries.
Usage in cooking
The most popular is mashed potatoes, which are served even in the most famous restaurants. In addition, peas make porridge, meatballs, pies, noodles, pancakes, jelly and even cheese. Very popular are the first dishes of this vegetable. In addition, peas canned and then used in cooking. In some countries, this vegetable is fried and salted.
Dried peas are often just chewed. In Japan, China, Thailand and Malaysia, in Taiwan, peas are fried, salted and eaten as a snack. In the UK, dried peeled yellow peas are used to make pea pudding, or "pea porridge." In North America, pea soup made from peeled peas is just as traditional.
Useful and prophylactic properties
Pea groats are easily digestible. It normalizes the metabolic processes in the body, has a strengthening effect on the walls of blood vessels, reduces the risk of cancer, heart attack, hypertension, stops aging of the skin and the whole body. In addition, thanks to the carbohydrates in its composition, peas are a wonderful supplier of energy.
Peas are valued for their vegetable protein content, which is similar to meat. It contains a number of essential amino acids. Peas have a high concentration of ascorbic acid. It contains various types of sugar, vitamins PP, vitamins of group B, as well as starch, carotene, fiber. Plus, the peas are rich in macro-and micronutrients. Dried peas are an excellent source of molybdenum. It is enough potassium, calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, manganese and iron.
Composition and medicinal properties
Yellow and green peas are a decent source of fiber. In one glass contains up to sixteen grams of fiber (figure exceeds 60% of the daily norm), and 11 grams are insoluble, 5 grams - soluble. Thus, peas are recommended for people who suffer from diabetes, hypertension, heart disease and the digestive tract.
The composition of yellow pea contains a large amount of tryptophan (the substance allows you to keep a good mood) and folic acid, vitamin B1. In addition, the composition is characterized by an increased amount of molybdenum and magnesium (up to 40% of the daily value in a glass). Also composed of fiber, enzymes, salts of potassium, calcium, iron, phosphorus, vitamins A, B, C, PP.
Nutritionists and experienced doctors on a regular basis say about the benefits of coarse dietary fiber, vegetable proteins. Both substances are present in the composition of yellow peas. Canadian scientists have proven that yellow pea is truly beneficial for people with chronic kidney disease. To date, it was possible to prove that the product allows you to normalize blood pressure, improve the condition of the kidneys.
Contraindications
Dried peas contain natural substances called purines. In some people, the kidneys are not able to remove the product of the breakdown of purines - uric acid, which leads to an increase in its level in the body. With prolonged and excessive accumulation of uric acid, a disease such as gout occurs, kidney stones are formed. For this reason, such people should limit or eliminate the consumption of products with purines. However, recent studies show that the purines of meat and fish increase the risk of developing gout, and the purines of plant foods have virtually no effect on it.