Edible Plants of the World

Pea

Pea

A temperate plant. Plants grow best at altitudes over 1000 m in the tropics. They suit a humid climate. Hot dry weather interferes with seed setting. They are frost tolerant except at flowering. A temperate plant. They need temperatures of 13°C to 18°C. They need a pH of 5.5-6.5 and reasonably good fertility. They cannot tolerate waterlogging or very acid soils. They grow to 4,400 m altitude in the Himalayas. It suits hardiness zones 7-9.

Also known as:

Alverja, Amu bola kadala, Aveja, Batagadle, Batani, Chana, Chicharo, Endou mame, Erbse, Ercis, Ervilha, Gartenerbse, Guisante, He lan dou, Kacang manis, Kachhe, Keraun, Keyagu, Matar, Mattar, Patanlu, Pattani, Pe-leikpya, Pe-sa-u, Pe-si-lon, Pisello, Pisu, Pois, Sadawpe, San-too-see, Satila, Sitsaro, Thua lantao, Tian wan dou, To-kam, Tsing tau, Wan dou, Wandu, Wan-du-si, Watani

Synonyms

Edible Portion

Where does Pea grow?

Found in: Afghanistan, Africa, Albania, Algeria, Argentina, Armenia, Asia, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Balkans, Bangladesh, Belgium, Bhutan, Britain, Bulgaria, Burundi, Cambodia, Canada, Caucasus, Central Africa, Central America, Central Asia, Chile, China, Colombia, Congo, Cuba, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Dominican Republic, East Africa, East Timor, Egypt, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Europe, Fiji, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Gibraltar, Greece, Greenland, Guatemala, Haiti, Hawaii, Himalayas, India, Indochina, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Italy, Japan, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Korea, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Lebanon, Libya, Lithuania, Macedonia, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Marianas, Mauritius, Mediterranean, Mexico, Moldova, Mongolia, Morocco, Mozambique, Myanmar, Nepal, Netherlands, New Zealand, Niger, Nigeria, North Africa, North America, Northeastern India, Norway, Pacific, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, PNG, Peru, Philippines, Portugal, Romania, Russia, Rwanda, Saudi Arabia, Scandinavia, SE Asia, Serbia, Sikkim, Slovenia, South Africa, Southern Africa, South America, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Sweden, Switzerland, Syria, Taiwan, Tajikistan, Tanzania, Tasmania, Thailand, Timor-Leste, Tonga, Tunisia, Turkey, Uganda, Ukraine, Uruguay, United States, Vanuatu, Vietnam, West Africa, West Indies, Yugoslavia, Zambia, Zimbabwe

Notes: There are 2 Pisum species.

Status: It is a commercially cultivated vegetable. Gaining importance in some highlands areas in the tropics. About 20 million tons of peas are grown each year worldwide.

Growing Pea

Cultivation: Plants are grown from seed. Seed can be collected for re-sowing. A spacing about 5 cm apart in rows 25 cm apart is suitable. Seed can be 3-5 cm deep. If rotting is a problem, plants can be supported off the ground. Plants need inoculation with bacteria for good production. For dried peas plants are cut when mature then dried and threshed.

Edible Uses: Mostly the young seeds are eaten. They can be eaten raw or cooked. Sometimes the young pods and leaves are eaten. The flowers are eaten in salads. The sprouted seeds are eaten. The young leaves and buds are cooked as a vegetable. The dry seeds are eaten. They are used in soups and stews and ground into flour. Roasted seeds are used as a substitute for coffee.

Nutrition Info

per 100g edible portion

Edible Part Energy (kcal) Protein (g) Iron (mg) Vitamin A (ug) Vitamin c (mg) Zinc (mg) % Water
Seed - raw 68 5.8 1.9 300 25 0.7 78.5
Seed - boiled 53 5 1.2 300 15 0.5 80
Leaves - - - 89 - -

Pea Photos

Pea Pea Pea Pea Pea

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