Origin: Pea is one of the most consumed cool-season legumes. Peas belong to the species of Leguminosae family (aka Fabaceae). Peas have been domesticated for about 11,000 years ago now. Peas are an important human crop cultivated throughout the world.
It is believed to have been originated during the Old Kingdom or the Middle Kingdom Egypt about 4,000–5,000 years ago. New cultivation and harvesting techniques resulted in different varieties of peas.
History reveals the oldest use of peas as people eating it with starch grains founded embedded in the calculus (plaque) on Neanderthal teeth at Shanidar Cave and dated about 46,000 years ago. Undomesticated pea remains were also found at Ohalo II in Israel, in layers dated about 23,000 years ago. The peas have been cultivated since Near East at the site of Jerf el Ahmar in Syria about 9,300 calendar years BCE which is 11,300 years ago.
The wild pea plant is native to the Mediterranean region, and ancient remains dating to the late Neolithic Period have been found in the Middle East. European colonization introduced the crop to the New World and other regions throughout the globe. In the mid-1800s, peas in a monastery garden in Austria were famously used by the monk Gregor Mendel in his pioneering studies of the nature of heredity.
Scientifically: Pea is botanically known as Pisum sativum. It is also called garden pea. It is a herbaceous annual plant in the family Fabaceae. Peas are grown worldwide for its edible seeds. The pea plant is hard and leafy. It is a perennial plant with hollow trailing or climbing stems that reach up to 1.8 meters (6 feet) in length. It generally has three pair of leaflets with the reddish-purple, pink, or white flowers. The fruit is a pod that grows to 10 cm (4 inches) long, which splits in half when ripe. Inside the pod, 5 to 10 seeds are attached by short stalks. The seeds are green, light green or yellow in color.
Usage: Peas are consumed worldwide and are considered to be a great source of protein and dietary fiber. Peas are low in fat and can be cooked as an ingredient in curries, rice, etc. Peas also contain a high level of antioxidants which are great for skin and hair. it also helps in developing the immune system. Regular consumption of peas has also resulted in treating Alzheimer’s and Arthritis. Peas are great for diabetic people and pregnant women.
Below are some DIYs with Peas:
- Boil some peas and grind to make a paste. Apply this paste over your body and face. Keep it on for 15 minutes and then wash it off in scrubbing motion.
- Make a paste of boiled peas with some yogurt. Add a tablespoon of olive oil to it as well. Combine all the ingredients together and apply on the hair for 45 minutes. Wash it off later and shampoo the tresses. This helps in achieving smooth and manageable hair.
- Take a tablespoon of boiled mashed peas, 1 teaspoon of honey, 1 teaspoon of yogurt and a pinch of turmeric. Combine all the ingredients together and apply on the face for 10 minutes. Gently massage and rinse it off. This pack helps in achieving glowing skin.