Did You Know?

History

  • Peas probably came from northwest Asia and some archaeologists think that people started growing peas more than 20,000 years ago.
  • Christopher Columbus is believed to have brought the first peas to America in 1493, planting them on Isabella island.
  • Peas have been found in caves in Thailand that are over 11,000 years old.
  • Peas have been found in Egyptian tombs that were built over 4,000 years ago.

Trivia

  • More than 1,000 varieties of peas are in existence today.
  • The garden pea is renowned as the plant with which Gregor Mendel conducted the experiments that initiated the science of genetics.
  • In New England, USA, many gardeners plant peas on April 19th, the anniversary of the battle of Lexington, hoping to have their first peas by the 4th of July, when according to traditional use they accompany salmon on the menu.

Nutrition

  • Peas are a good source of iron. 1 in 3 Irish women have inadequate iron intakes. 1
  • Peas are a good source of fibre; fibre helps to keep 'bad' cholesterol levels down while helping to boost the 'good' levels.
  • Peas & Carrots are high in Vitamin A. Vitamin A can protect against defective eyesight and is also essential for the normal development of the foetus and young children.
  • Batchelors vegetables count towards the five portions of fruit and vegetables we should aim to eat each day.
  • Canned, drained peas provide twice as much beta-carotene as boiled fresh peas, and a third more calcium.2
  • Canned, drained peas provide 50% more riboflavin and 20% more iron than fresh peas boiled in unsalted water.2

1IUNA Ireland Food Consumption Survey 2001, Published by Food Safety Promotion Board

2Survey: RSGB Omnibus J.N 0321/12 - May 2003