4 Reasons Yellow Peas are Taking Over the Food Market
Market projections for the yellow pea market predict that the industry will grow to 3.1 billion by 2030. The rising popularity of veganism and vegetarianism means that more and more consumers are shifting towards healthy and affordable plant-based foods that have less of an impact on the environment.
Yellow Peas Are Versatile
From protein powder to pet food, yellow peas have a wide range of uses. Yellow peas can also be cooked, mashed, and used as a protein-rich meat alternative. But, It doesn’t stop there! Gluten-sensitive/Celiac? Use pea flour for gluten-free baking. Lactose intolerant/vegan? Pea milk has got your back! They can be used whole or ground to add an extra boost of protein and fiber to your meal.
One of the best things about pulses is that they have a very long shelf life in comparison to animal-based proteins like meat. While meat will typically last 2-5 days in the fridge, yellow peas can last over 10 years in your pantry if stored correctly.
Yellow Peas Are Affordable
Pulses are grown in over 173 countries around the world, making them widely accessible and wonderfully affordable for consumers. With the demand for plant-based products on the rise, the low price of pulses makes them an attractive ingredient for food manufacturers as well.
Yellow Peas Have Low Environmental Impact
With the acceleration of climate change, the food industry is moving towards more sustainable agricultural practices. Plant-based proteins have a much smaller carbon footprint than animal-based proteins.
Pulse crops, in particular, do not require nitrogen fertilizer because the crops make their own. The natural nitrogen from these crops improves soil fertility and extends the productivity of the farmland. Other crops planted in the soil thereafter will require less fertilizer thanks to the nitrogen-enriched soil. It’s the crop that keeps on giving!
Yellow Peas Have Promising Nutritional Benefits
Thanks to a 2017 study led by Dr. Raylene A. Reimer, we’ve seen the potential of yellow pea fiber. The randomized, double-blinded, placebo controlled study concluded: “In the absence of other lifestyle changes, incorporating 15 g/day yellow pea fiber may yield small but significant metabolic benefits and aid in obesity management.” Participants experienced improved insulin sensitivity, fat loss while maintaining muscle mass and elevated ketone bodies that suppress appetite (You can read more about the study here). This is how BellyCrush was born!
Yellow peas are versatile, sustainable, accessible and good for you. Keep an eye out for this superstar ingredient in your food! We saw the potential of yellow peas back in 2017 and we’re happy to see others catching on!
Sources:
https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2016/may/25/pea-milk-non-dairy-ripple-france-environment
https://www.agweek.com/business/4890054-Dry-peas-A-crop-whose-time-has-come
https://agbio.usask.ca/news/2020/02/all-we-are-saying-is-give-peas-a-chance.php
https://www.unenvironment.org/news-and-stories/story/taking-pulses-higher-level
https://foodstoragemadeeasy.net/2009/11/27/beyond-the-babysteps-legumes-split-peas/
