Difference Between Legumes and Lentils

Legumes vs Lentils

Legumes are a family of plants called Fabaceae, or the fruit of this type of plants, which is referred to as pod. Some common legumes eaten in different parts of the world are clover, Alfalfa, peas, lupins, lentils, peanuts etc. Thus, it is clear that lentils are a type, or subcategory of legumes. Legumes are full of proteins and fibers which is why they are a staple food of populations that are vegetarians. People often remain confused by the differences between legumes and lentils. Though lentils are a type of legumes, there are some differences that will be talked about in this article.

Lentils have been eaten by mankind since Neolithic times. They come in all sorts of colors such as green, yellow, red, orange, black, brown etc. They are sold with or without skins. They are different from beans in the sense that they do not need to be soaked in water for long time before cooking. Lentils should not be eaten raw as they have been found to contain anti nutrients like phytic acid and tannin. Lentils are a rich source of protein, fiber, minerals and vitamin B. They also contain high levels of amino acids required by our bodies. Lentils grow well in all climates, and almost a third of world’s production of lentils comes from India.

Legumes contain somewhat lower levels of amino acids, which is why it is common for them to be served with grains. A combination of legumes with grains is ideal as it contains all amino acids required by human beings. Some examples are rice and dal in India and tofu with rice in Japan.