April 24th is National Sauvignon Blanc Day, a grape that grows easily around the world and makes wines that are popular wherever they are made.

Sauvignon Blanc (SAW-vin-yawn BLON) is an AOC-classified* French wine that’is planted around the world. Its origin is the eastern part of France’s Loire Valley, where it abuts Burgundy.

In France, where wines are known by their region or city, the Loire produces two major appelations: Sancerre after the city in Sancerre on the left bank of the Loire River, and Pouilly-Fumé from the town of Pouilly-sur-Loire, on the opposite bank. Elsewhere in the world, wines are known by their grape varietal names (i.e., Sauvignon Blanc).

 
Below:

> Styles of Sauvignon Blanc by world region.

> The history of Sauvignon Blanc.

> The six noble grapes.

> Sauvignon Blanc food pairings: Part 1.

> Sauvignon Blanc food pairings: Part 2.

Elsewhere on The Nibble:

> The history of wine.

> The year’s 22+ white wine holidays.

> The year’s 25+ red wine holidays.
 
 

[13] Verdant vines growing Sauvignon Blanc grapes (photo © Winkler Christopher | Pixabay).
 
 
THE DELIGHTS OF SAUVIGNON BLANC: AN INTRODUCTION

The Sauvignon Blanc grape produces refreshing, dry, white wines with one of two key flavor profiles: grapefruit/citrus or grassy/herbaceous, depending on the terroir†. Both are delicious.

The wine is known for high acidity, light to medium body and medium alcohol. It is most often unoaked.

It is also very affordable, with bottles available from around $10, many in the $12 to $15 range, and the finest of the breed (such as Sancerre’s Ladoucette Comte Lafond) in the $35 to $45 range.

By comparison, Chablis is double the price, with Grüner Veltliner in the middle.

If you like white wines such as Chablis and Grüner Veltliner, you’ll likely be a fan of Sauvignon Blanc.

Its acid backbone complements everything from plateaux de fruits de mer (raw seafood platters) and grilled chicken and fish to buttery sauces and rich cheeses; although the AOC cheese of the Loire, chèvre (goat cheese), is its most popular pairing.

We go deep into food pairings at the end of this article. First, it’s important to understand the styles of Sauvignon Blanc.
 
 
STYLES OF SAUVIGNON BLANC BY REGION

We start off with the tip to have a tasting get-together. If your group shares in the work, you can assign everyone a Sauvignon Blanc from a different region, and a food that goes with it.

The grape is relatively easy to grow, and thus is grown in more than 10 countries, from Canada to Italy to New Zealand to South Africa—even in Romania, Moldova.

With so many different terroirs and national preferences, you can find Sauvignon Blanc in a wide range of styles and flavors.

Sauvignon blanc delivers minerality and very high acidity. From there:

 
The best regions for Sauvignon Blanc beyond the Loire Valley are California and Chile—but don’t let that stop you from trying examples from everywhere.

Many thanks to Wine Folly for making these invaluable distinctions.

Before drilling down into the roots, here’s a summary chart:

[14] Dominant flavor by region (chart: The Nibble).
 
1. Australia’s Sauvignon Blanc Wines

 
2. Chile’s Sauvignon Blanc Wines

 
3. France’s Sauvignon Blanc Wines

 
4. Italy’s Sauvignon Blanc Wines

 
5. New Zealand’s Sauvignon Blanc Wines

 
6. South Africa’s Sauvignon Blanc Wines

 
7. Spain’s Sauvignon Blanc Wines

 
8. The United States’ Sauvignon Blanc Wines

 
 
SAUVIGNON BLANC: A NOBLE GRAPE

What makes a grape noble?

The term is used to describe the grapes that are grown internationally, yet retain their fundamental characteristics regardless of growing region and the local terroir. The French term is cépage noble” (SAY-paj NOBL).

There are six noble grapes (all grown in France), with an argument for a seventh. They are:

 
 
THE HISTORY OF SAUVIGNON BLANC

The vineyards of the Loire Valley date back to the Roman era, where the grapes that grew wild were first cultivated.

Sauvignon Blanc is likely a mutation of that wild grape cultivated by the Romans. “Sauvignon” derives from the French word sauvage, wild; blanc is white.

With the collapse of the Roman Empire until the 12th century, monasteries became the main keepers of viticulture and winemaking; sacramental wine (vinum theologium) was essential to celebrate the mass.

Monks had the resources, education and time necessary to improve their viticultural skills. slowly over time. Throughout the Middle Ages, monasteries owned the best vineyards. Their wine was superior to others, and they also produced large quantities for sale, to support their orders [source].

In the Loire Valley, Sauvignon Blanc vineyards (and other grapes still grown there today) were maintained and enhanced by Benedictine monks.

Red wine lovers will be interested to know that the white Sauvignon Blanc grape is one of the parents of the red Cabernet Sauvignon grape. The other parent is the the red Cabernet Franc grape.

[1] Sauvignon Blanc is a medium-bodied white wine that’s our go-to in warmer weather, or with lighter fare year-round (photo The Nibble).

[2] Sauvignon Blanc grapes on the vine (photo © Italian Recipes [website no longer active]).

[3] Our favorite Sauvignon Blanc is Comte Lafond Sancerre from France’s Loire Valley (photo The Nibble).

[4] The only Sauvignon Blanc-based white Burgundy, Goisot’s Saint Bris AOC (photo The Nibble).

[5] Massey Ferguson is a New Zealand manufacturer of agricultural equipment, including tractors used in vineyards. The slang word for the tractor in New Zealand is “dacta.” Yes, the vineyard is named after its tractor! It’s a favorite Sauvignon Blanc of one of our wine consultants, Mary Taylor, and it’s very affordable—$15 at the time of this writing (photo The Nibble).

[6] Another Mary Taylor favorite: this Sauvignon Blanc-based Bordeaux Blanc from Jean Marc Barthez (photo The Nibble).

[7] Serve Sauvignon Blanc with seafood, cooked or raw. Here’s the recipe for these Mussels à la Normande (photo © Sea Tales).

[9] You don’t have to think twice about ordering Sauvignon Blanc with a plateau de fruits de mer (photo © Oceans Restaurant | NYC).

[10] Serve it with salmon or any fish (photo © Preserved Cherries [website gone]).

[11] With any and all goat cheeses, including these cocktail bites (photo © Bella Sun Luci).

[12] Add a splash of Sauvignon Blanc to the bottom of a dish of citrus sorbet, or stir some into a slightly softened pint and refreeze (photo The Nibble).

In the Loire, this cuisine is noteworthy for its:

 
Red Wine-Friendly Foods Of The Loire

 

[15] A selection of goat cheeses pair beautifully with Sauvignon Blanc. What’s with the ashes? Goat cheese is very fragile, and before modern packaging, plant-based ashes covered the cheeses to protect them on their way to market, over bumpy roads in horse-driven carts (photo: The Nibble).
 
 
For Dessert

While you likely don’t want to have dessert with a dry wine like Sauvignon Blanc, the Loire region offers sweet, Chenin Blanc-based wines to end a Loire-focused feast. Look for:

 
There are other sweet wines made in the Loire, but this is an excellent starter list.

Two noteworthy desserts:

 

[16] Pair these French dessert classics—Tarte Tatin and sable cookies—with the Loire’s sweet Chenin Blanc-based dessert wines (The Nibble photo).
 
 
SAUVIGNON BLANC FOOD PAIRINGS: PART 2

Because Sauvignon Blanc is tart and tangy, it is the best wine to serve with salad, including Caesar salad topped with chicken or salmon. Its acidity complements the vinegar in a vinaigrette.

Other classic food pairings are:

 
In addition to being drunk as is, Sauvignon Blanc is also popular in spritzers and white sangria.

________________

*AOC, an abbreviation of appellation d’origine contrôlée, is a legal designation that places rigid standards on how and where a French product can be produced. This ensures consistent quality and preserves its reputation.

†Pronounced tuhr-WAH, terroir is the French expression for sense of place, the unique environment in which something grows—its specific soil composition and microclimate. Microclimate includes temperature, amount of sunshine and rain. The flavor nuances of agricultural products, from grapes to olives to milk to cacao, is a function of its terroir.

‡Both moelleux (moy-YOO)/moelleux doux (DOO) and liquoreux (lih-coe-ROO) are general French terms for sweet wines. The translation of moelleux is sweet, soft, tender, smooth, mellow. A wine labeled doux in sweeter still. A liquoreux designation indicates the richest, most luscious sweet wines. Labels of sélection de grains nobles (selection of noble berries, abbreviated as SGN) indicates that the grapes were affected by noble rot (botrytis). These are the sweetest and richest wines, with the most concentrated flavors (and greatest cost).
 

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Teriyaki is a Japanese cooking technique in which foods are broiled or grilled with a glaze of mirin*, saké, soy sauce, and sugar†.

Proportions vary according to the recipe: You can create a more sweet or more savory sauce, a thicker or a thinner sauce. Here‘s a basic teriyaki sauce recipe.

The alcohol in the glaze gives a luster (teri) to the grilled (yaki) protein; the brown color comes from the caramelization of the sugar.

Proper preparation of teriyaki involves repeated applications of the sauce during the latter stage of cooking until the sauce thickens and acquires luster (the meat or fish can also be marinated in the teriyaki sauce up to 24 hours before cooking).

While some Americans grill the meat and then pour on the sauce, this does not produce the same results.

The addition of garlic, ginger, sesame seeds, and/or chiles to teriyaki may be tasty but is not traditional. The bottled teriyaki sauces that contain them are actually versions of the spicier Korean bulgogi sauce, which features garlic and hot chiles.

Teriyaki dishes are served with steamed white rice, which is made flavorful with the excess sauce. The dish is often garnished with chopped scallions (green onion).

While chicken teriyaki seems to be the most popular in the U.S., it isn’t even on menus in Japan.

Instead, the authentic teriyaki protein of choice is fish, such as mackerel, marlin, skipjack tuna, salmon, trout, yellowtail, and sometimes, squid.

> The history of teriyaki is below.

> A recipe for build-your-own teriyaki bowls is also below.

> So is a recipe for that delicious Japanese carrot-ginger dressing.

________________

*Mirin and saké are types of rice wine. Both are fermented from rice, but mirin has a lower alcohol content and higher sugar content (as an analogy, thing of sweet and dry vermouths). If you have saké but no mirin, make a mirin substitute by adding a half teaspoon of sugar to the saké, and warm it slowly to dissolve the sugar.

†Modern American substitutes include honey for the sugar and other alcohol for the saké (e.g. bourbon, vodka).
________________
 
 
THE HISTORY OF TERIYAKI

Most of the modern Japanese dishes familiar in the U.S. first appeared during Japan’s Edo period (1603 to 1867), an era characterized by stability and economic growth. That included exposure to new ingredients from abroad, which gave rise to new styles of cooking.

Food historians believe that teriyaki was created in the 17th century, one of a number of new dishes using roasted or grilled fish and meat. The special sweet-and-savory glaze distinguished teriyaki from other grilled dishes.

With the proliferation of Japanese restaurants in 1960s America (thanks to the 1965 Immigration & Nationality Act, which enabled many more Asians to emmigrate), teriyaki dishes became popular [source].

To cater to American tastes, beef, chicken, lamb, pork, salmon, and tofu with vegetables were offered instead of the traditional varieties of fish.

More recently in the U.S., fusion cooking has engendered teriyaki burgers, meatballs, and other variations; and teriyaki sauce is used as a dipping sauce and a marinade ingredient (more about this in a minute).

[2] Classic chicken teriyaki with a not-so-classic side of sautéed bok choy. Here’s the recipe from Chowhound.

[3] A fusion “steak and salad”: beef teriyaki bowl (photo © Glaze Teriyaki).

According to a history on Leaf TV, “there is apparently no official teriyaki sauce history, and the term refers rather to the aforementioned cooking method, and applies primarily to the preparation of fish, such as mackerel, salmon, trout and tuna.”
 
 
TERIYAKI ON TREND

Teriyaki was part of the first wave of Asian flavors to find a foothold here (source).

Modern trends find teriyaki in all sorts of comfort food, from burgers and meatballs (try a meatball bánh mì sandwich) to grain bowls.

Flavor And The Menu, a magazine that shares national restaurant trends for chefs and restaurateurs, notes dishes like these popping up nationwide:

[4] Teriyaki meatballs. Here’s the recipe (photo © Mom On Time Out).

[5] Teriyaki meatball at Dirty Habit | Hotel Monaco | D.C.

RECIPE 1: BUILD YOUR OWN TERIYAKI BOWL

Mix and match:

 
For The Salad

 
Dressing

 
Garnish

Love that textured, orange salad dressing at Japanese restaurants?

It’s easy to make at home:

Ingredients

 
Preparation

1. PLACE all ingredients except the oil in a blender. Process until liquified.

2. ADD the peanut oil and pulse a few times to combine.
 
 

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The first Earth Day was held on April 22, 1970 (here’s the history). It led to the creation of the United States Environmental Protection Agency, the passage of the Clean Air, Clean Water Act and the Endangered Species Act.

Forty-seven years later, the need to save the planet is even greater. You’ve heard all this before; but if you make even one of the following changes, you’re helping the cause.

Here are 10 little changes you can make. Pick [at least] one!
 
 
I. LOOK CLOSELY AT WHAT YOU EAT
 
 
1. Add more plant-based protein into your diet.

Industrial farmed meat has a higher impact on the environment than any other food group. For a healthier and more environmentally friendly protein, try beans, legumes, nuts, and seeds instead.

Meatless Monday only goes so far: If you consume cheese or other dairy products, they still come from animals that require deforestation and excrete methane, a greenhouse gas.

Action Steps:

 
 
2. Go locavore.

You don’t have to have a diet of 100% local food; in fact, if you drink coffee or tea or eat bananas, it’s pretty impossible.

But seek out local foods when you can, or at least those grown and made in the U.S.A. (photo #2). It’s the best way to lower your carbon footprint.

Bonus: Locally-grown crops are typically fresher and often taste better compared to foods that are shipped across the globe.

Here’s more about locavorism.
 
 
3. Eat seasonally.

This is a corollary to eating locavore. Foods that travel across oceans are often those from the southern hemisphere that are out of season in the northern hemisphere.
 
 
4. Eat more raw foods.

You don’t need to embrace raw foodism; simply enjoy more raw fruits and vegetables.

[2] Americans demand asparagus year-round; but except for spring’s domestic asparagus, it’s shipped in from Chile (photo © Baldor Food).

[3] Apple pie: tempting, but… Fresh apple: better for you, better for the environment (photo © U.S. Apple Association).

The next time you’re thinking about packaged snacks instead of crudités, or apple pie instead of an apple, make the raw choice and tell yourself: “I’m saving the planet.”

Bonus: fewer calories.
 
 
5. Cook once, eat twice.

Make double batches when you cook, so you’ll have leftovers for another meal. Even though you might need to reheat the food, even freeze it, the net energy saved is tremendous.
 
 
II. REDUCE THE DISPOSABLE PACKAGING ON THE FOODS YOU BUY
 
 
6. BYO Bags & Containers To The Store.

We always have two fold-up nylon shopping bags at the bottom of our backpack or purse. They come in endless colors and patterns, and you don’t have to take bags from the store (photo #4).

If you want large-haul reusable bags, we like these collapsible boxes (photo #5).

[5] …and reusable grocery bags and boxes.

7. Avoid excessive packaging.

Look for foods with the least amount of packaging. While cardboard boxes can be recycled, certain types of plastic cannot be—including the plastic produce bags.

You don’t really need them: The cashier will weigh your fruit or vegetables without a bag.

But if you prefer the convenience, get a set of these reusable produce bags, which go from shopping cart to refrigerator.

Yes, this might keep your food fresh and protected, however the excess packaging only ends up in landfills and adds more pollution to our land. Try buying produce that is not in a package.
 
 
8. Carry water in a reusable bottle.

Bottled water doesn’t necessarily mean its cleaner or better for you than tap water. Look for a filter system to install in your kitchen sink or even a water pitcher filter will work well.

The fewer disposable plastic bottles we use, the cleaner our planet will be. There are so many attractive, efficient, reusable water balls on the market. Just pick one and use it!

If you buy bottled water because you don’t like the taste of your tap water, consider a faucet-based, countertop or under-sink filtration system.

If you do need to buy a bottle of water, bring home the empty and refill it. Give it a life beyond Day 1. See the infographic below and the bottled water crisis.

If you drink a lot of carbonated beverage, you’ll save on empty bottles and lugging both, with a Sodastream carbonater or similar product. The flavors are delicious and the carbonation units can be recycled.
 
 
10. Reuse plastic containers.

We do purchase fresh prepared foods packed in plastic containers, but we reuse those containers for everything from leftovers to storage.
 
 
Make Every Day Earth Day!
 
 

 
 

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In alphabetical order, they are:

1. CRACKER BARREL Oven BAKED MACARONI & CHEESE

Cracker Barrel Cheese’s premium mac & cheese line has launched Oven Baked Macaroni & Cheese (photo #1) in three flavors:

 
Fans of oven-baked mac and cheese prefer it for the crispy edges and the toasted bread crumbs. The bread crumbs are included, as well as flavorful seasonings; and the level of crispiness is up to you.

Just boil the noodles and mix the seasoning packet with melted butter and milk. Add the cheese sauce and the flavor mix, spoon into a baking dish and top with the toasted breadcrumbs.

Get yours at major retailers nationwide. Suggested Retail Price is $3.99 for a 12.34-ounce package.

For more information visit the Cracker Barrel Cheese website.
 
 
2. DELTA BLUES RICE GRITS

Delta Blues Rice (that’s the Mississippi Delta) is a fourth-generation family business that grows artisan rice. If you think that all white rice tastes the same, you won’t believe how much more flavorful it is than supermarket brands.

The company sells the rice in white and brown rice and rice grits, all made in small batches and milled for freshness.

We’ve enjoyed cornmeal grits since we were small fry, but had never tasted rice grits until the folks at Delta Blues Rice sent us a sample (photos #2 and #3).

We devoured the package and ordered more. For those who avoid corn-based foods, they’re a real find.

If you come from a grits-loving family, load up on them as gifts or favors for Mother’s Day and Father’s Day.

Get yours at DeltaBluesRice.com.
 
 
3. ENTUBE FLAVOR PASTES

Big flavors come from little tubes. Entube is a line of flavorful pastes in three international flavors: curry, harissa and umeboshi (photos #4 and #5).

These are great to have on hand and are so easy to use. Instead of adding more salt when a dish needs some pizzazz, just add a bit of flavor paste—to anything from grains to cheese fondue to soups and stews.

We tried two of the three flavors: Curry and Harissa. Here’s how we used them.

3a. Entube Harissa Paste

 
Roast Chicken: About 15 minutes before the chicken is due to come out of the oven, combine harissa-flavored plain yogurt with the hot drippings. Baste the chicken twice, five minutes apart. For the second basting, add the juice of 1/2 lemon to the yogurt and drippings, along with a bit of kosher salt to taste. This will slightly caramelize and crisp the skin.

Grilled Lamb: Morroccan lamb dishes are classically made with a harissa spice rub. We made a rack of lamb with the yogurt-Harissa Paste mix (4 tablespoons yogurt with 1 teaspoon paste) and a teaspoon of lemon juice. Brush it in on at the start of roasting and once more 5 minutes from the end. It perks up the slightly gamy flavor of lamb beautifully. (Cooking time for medium rare lamb is 22 minutes in a 425°F oven.)

[1] We love baked mac & cheese with crispy edges (photo courtesy Cracker Barrel). [2] Calling all grits lovers for great rice grits (photo courtesy Delta Blues Rice). [3] Rice grits (photo courtesy Neniemi Food). [4] Entube flavor pastes and [5] Entube harissa spices up paella (photos courtesy Entube | Facebook).

3b. Entube Curry Paste

Mushroom Sauce: Boost the umami flavor in creamy mushroom sauces. Add as much paste as you like, tasting as you go in 1/2 teaspoon increments. The curry flavor was not overpowering and added depth to the character of the mushrooms. This combination also works in mushroom tarts.

Grilled Shrimp: Marinate 1 pound deveined shrimp in a yogurt marinade made with 1/2 cup yogurt and 2 teaspoons of curry paste, the juice of 1 lime, mustard oil or coconut oil, chili powder to taste and 2 teaspoons of grated, peeled ginger root. Marinate in the fridge for 2-4 hours. Just before grilling (on medium-high), remove shrimp and wipe off the excess marinade with paper towels. Grill until black spots begin to appear, about 3 minutes per side. Delicious!

The one complaint we have with the pastes is that there is too much added ascorbic acid (vitamin C)—almost 20%. If you have a sophisticated palate, you may notice a slightly medicinal acidic tang that is not as clean and lively as would have been given by lemon or lime. You can mask it by adding some real lemon or lime juice.

Find a store locator on the company website.

[6] Sea salt meets seaweed in these tasty blends (photo courtesy Sea Veg). [7] Werther’s new Cocoa Crème Soft Caramels and [8] longtime favorites, the sugar-free caramels line (photos courtesy Werther’s Original).

This naturally iodized sea salt has a little something extra: sea vegetables, including dulse and kelp, seaweeds known for their high vitamin and mineral content.

The entire line of seaweed-based products are harvested in Maine waters; and the line is targeted to people who want to get the most nutrition they can from their foods.

Here are the nutritional values of both seaweeds.

Not that we don’t want the best nutrition; but we like these sea salts for their flavor, especially with rice and other grains and starches. And, we’re big flavor fans of Japanese seaweed, dried or fresh [which is actually reconstituted dry seaweed].

The company offers variations of the sea salt with added cayenne or garlic; and with other seaweeds. Another product of interest is the applewood-smoked nori sheets.

Find out more at SeaVeg.com.
 
 
5. WERTHER’S ORIGINAL NEW COCOA CREME SOFT CARAMELS

Werther’s newest flavor can be attributed to American palates: a survey of more than 1,000 American adults found that 44% chose caramel as their favorite candy flavor to combine with chocolate. The next closest is mint, at 19%.

Werther’s Original Cocoa Crème Soft Caramels pair their yummy soft caramel with a cocoa crème filling.

They join Werther’s other dual-flavor caramels, including Caramel Apple and Coffee Caramel.

We love soft caramels. Aside from the pricey ones from artisan chocolatiers, Werther’s is our favorite everyday brand.

Another thing we love about the brand is the sugar-free options.

The line includes hard, chewy, soft and filled caramels, as well as the sugar-free caramels in seven flavors (the chewy sugar-free caramels and chocolate caramels are a must-try) and caramel popcorn.
As they say at the company, they’re a treat that’s truly “werth it.”

For more information visit Werther’s Original USA.

National Surf & Turf Day falls on February 29th. Why would anyone choose to celebrate this tasty holiday only once every four years?

That honor should go to, say, National Chocolate Covered Cashews Day, which happens to be today’s holiday (April 21st). Or how Kitchen Klutzes of America Day (June 13th), or Cheese Sacrifice Purchase Day (July 29th)?

So today, we’re featuring some novel approaches to surf and turf.

On THE NIBBLE alone, we have obvious and not-so-obvious recipes:

 
Not to mention, Surf & Turf Pizza (clams or shrimp with pepperoni) or skewers (any meat, any shellfish).

Our latest dish in the collection:
 
 
RECIPE: SQUID & SPRING PEAS

Who’d have thought of combining squid and bacon with fresh spring peas and fresh mint? Catalan chefs, with bounties of fresh squid pulled from the Mediterranean.

This recipe is from Executive Chef Jaime Chavez of Sirena Cucina Latina in San Diego (which alas, closed in February).

It’s a traditional Catalan starter from the chef’s mother, and is one of the restaurant’s best sellers.

“[Mother] taught me that the best dishes are made from simple flavors, and when we respect the products, they give us back the very best of them,” notes Chavez.

While Chef Jaime didn’t intend to create “surf and turf,” we’re always seeking new ways to extend the original concept of filet mignon and lobster tail, christened Surf & Turf (here’s the history of Surf & Turf).

This is an easy recipe; the most demanding parts are slicing the squid and cooking the bacon.

The season for fresh spring peas is short, so don’t bookmark this for “later.”

Check out the difference between spring peas and other green peas, below.

Ingredients For 4 Servings

 
Preparation

1. SAUTÉ the squid and garlic in olive oil in a hot pan. Cut the squid into rings.

2. ADD the peas and season with salt and pepper. Then add the vinegar and mint.

[2] Just-shelled spring peas (photo © The Chef’s Kitchen).

[3] Raw squid (photo © Williams-Sonoma).

[ ] .

[4] Fennel (photo courtesy Burpee).

[6] Snow peas (photo © AllWomensTalk.com).

[7] Sugar snap peas (photo © Good Eggs).

Spring peas, English peas, and garden peas are three names for the same thing. All can be eaten raw or cooked.

Three types of green peas:

 
Peas (Pisum sativum) are native to the Mediterranean basin. They grew wild and were one of the earlier vegetables cultivated at the dawn of agriculture in the Neolithic Era, beginning about 12,500 years ago.

Having said that, pea pods are botanically a fruit since they are pods that contain seeds, and the pods developed from the ovary of a flower.

Peas, beans, and lentils are all legumes with seeds that grow in pods. It’s easy to distinguish them by their shape:

 
Legumes are members of the botanical family Fabaceae, which also includes alfalfa, carob, licorice, peanuts, and the sweet pea garden plant.
 
Peas are sweet but can get starchy soon after harvesting. The fresher, the better.

For the best flavor, choose small peas. They’re younger, sweeter, and more tender than large ones. Look for medium-size pods that are firm and green, with no yellowing. Break open a pod and check the peas. They should be small, bright green, and firm. Taste the peas in the pod: They should be tender and sweet.

Freshness counts. As with corn, once picked the peas’ high sugar content begins to convert to starch. Don’t pay for mature peas. You might as well use frozen peas.

Don’t pay extra for shelled peas. You don’t know how fresh they are; and since you aren’t shelling peas day in, day out, it’s a fun activity.

Storing Fresh Peas

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