Did You Know?

History

  • Pulses are an ancient food originating primarily in Africa & Asia & the Middle East.
  • They spread over most of the globe carried by nomadic tribes.
  • Portable, tasty, highly nutritious, non-perishable, and adaptable to any cuisine, pulses show up in the signature dishes from many lands, e.g. hummus from the Middle East, Chilli Con Carne from Mexico.
  • Chickpeas have been found in Egyptian tombs that were built over 4,000 years ago.
  • Prunes date back in writing to 479 B.C. in the writings and songs of Confucius which include a listing of popular foods of Chinese culture. In 65 B.C., Pompey the Great introduced the plum to the orchards of Rome, and Alexander the Great eventually brought them to the Mediterranean regions.

Trivia

  • The English name chickpea comes from the French chiche, which comes from the Latin cicer.
  • The B-52's released a song in 1983 called 'Butterbean' . The lyrics included these lines; "Some people are fat, some people are lean. But I want you to show me the person who doesn't like butterbeans Yay!"
  • Plums are known as prunes in France, and in earlier times, it is believed that both plum and prune meant the fresh fruit. Of course, in modern times, the prune is the dried version of the plum.
  • The plum tree plays a significant role in Chinese mythology and is associated with great age and wisdom. Blossoms of the plum tree are carved on jade to signify resurrection.
  • Plums are now the second most cultivated fruit in the world, second only to apples.
  • Prunes are related to the cherry and are members of the rose family.

Nutrition

  • Red Kidney came 3rd in a list of antioxidant capacity measured in 100 common foods. 1
  • Pulses are one of the most healthy and most economical sources of protein available, due to the relatively high levels of protein and low levels of fat.
  • Pulses are a good source of iron. 1 in 3 Irish women have inadequate iron intakes. 2
  • Pulses are a good source of fibre; fibre helps to keep 'bad' cholesterol levels down while helping to boost the 'good' levels.
  • Pulses play an important role in weight management. They fill you up – they provide lots of bulk without a lot of calories.
  • Pulses count towards the five portions of fruit and vegetables we should aim to eat each day.
  • Prunes are a good source of fibre; fibre helps to keep 'bad' cholesterol levels down while helping to boost the 'good' levels.

1 Wu et al, 2004. J Agric Food Chem. Vol 52 No. 12

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