Peas
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Discover more about this bright green legume, including when peas are in season, how to cook them and why they're best eaten soon after picking.
Discover more about this bright green legume, including when peas are in season, how to cook them and why they're best eaten soon after picking.
A type of legume, peas grow inside long, plump pods. As is the case with all types of legume, their sugars start to turn to starch as shortly after they're picked, so they are best eaten just-picked. Frozen peas are put on ice very soon after being picked (within three hours) and the flavour can be superior to that of fresh peas harvested a couple of days previously.
Read about the health benefits of peas.
Learn how to grow your own peas from the experts at Gardeners’ World.
Boil (2-3 mins - use the minimum amount of water needed, and don't add salt, as they'll toughen up. A pinch of sugar will bring out their sweetness). Steam (1-2 mins).
See our pea recipes for inspiration.
Try mange tout or broad bean.
