Can you eat raw peas?

Peas are very nutritious and can be cooked in a number of ways. They are perhaps one of the most popular foods in the world and their presence is found in almost every kitchen.

When cooked, they provide a delicious earthy, slightly sweet flavor. It is also often said that they taste like spring. But how does the taste of cooked peas compare to that of raw peas?

Can you eat raw peas? Most varieties of peas are generally safe to eat raw. Raw English peas, for example, taste sweet and earthy, while snow peas can be a bit bitter. Various visual characteristics can help you determine its species and, in turn, its bitterness or sweetness as well. 

Read below to learn more about the different types of peas, how they taste raw, and some of the best ways to use them in different recipes.

Varieties of raw peas

Peas are known to be annual plants that take about a year to grow and harvest. They are available all over the world and are also popular in many cuisines.

With several varieties available in different regions, you can find peas with different flavors and different characteristics.

Normally, peas are known to be small and are contained in a pod. The pod can hold up to 3-5 peas and, depending on their type, they can be sweet or have a spring flavor.

Some peas, like the Snow Pea variety, can also be eaten whole, with the seeds and pod!

This species is eaten when it is not ripe and provides a very mild and earthy flavor, but it can also be bitter depending on environmental conditions, such as inadequate watering or incorrect harvesting.

Snow pea pods are thin-walled and flatter. They are mostly found in the Asian subcontinent and are a staple food in many regions.

Perhaps the best way to consume peas is to cook them in oil or boil them in water. In general, any type of heat source is acceptable to soften the peas and make them less bitter. 

Remember that eating raw peas is more of a personal preference than the norm, as you can cook them however you like.

Raw peas can be added to salads, rice and other dishes without cooking them, or they can be cooked together with other ingredients. 

They offer a satisfying bite and a subtly sweet, spring flavor. The texture of raw peas is known to be very smooth. Because they retain moisture, the peas will have a wrinkle-free, shiny exterior.

The pods themselves can be bright green or dark green, depending on the age or youth of the peas.

For example, unlike white peas, English peas are known for having a deep green color, with thick pod walls and a rounded pod shape.

These peas can be eaten raw and have a very balanced flavor. Red snap peas are also similar, but unlike English peas, their shells can be eaten too!

Is it safe to eat raw peas?

Small amounts of raw peas can be eaten without negative consequences. Red snap peas are a great example, as many people eat them raw all the time.

However, there are a few things to keep in mind when considering eating raw peas.

Like other plants and fruits, pea pods are subject to rot and other plant diseases. They can contract all kinds of fungal diseases that can alter their taste, nutrition, appearance, and texture. 

To counteract this problem and to get a more consistent harvest, farmers use pesticides and other chemicals to keep the pods safe.

The use of these chemicals is a separate debate, but the consensus is that they are considered a necessary evil to protect the plant and maintain demand and supply.

So when you bring the pods home, you should make sure they are washed and stored properly. Washing the pods will remove excess dirt and keep them hydrated. 

But don’t keep them wet. She always pats the pods dry with a paper towel before storing them in the fridge.

This will help keep the peas fresh and sweet. Improperly stored pods can go bad and will also negatively affect the flavor of the peas.

Also, it is important to note that although most peas can be eaten raw and are completely safe, some people still dislike the taste of raw peas and may even have stomach problems.

Another point of concern with peas is that some varieties are also genetically modified.

There is an ongoing debate about the use of genetically modified plants and fruits and their effect on human health. This concern has given rise to an independent industry and demand for non-GMO peas.

If this concerns you, we highly recommend purchasing all-natural peas. Although they do not taste different, the tranquility they bring is welcome.

Raw Peas vs. cooked peas

Let’s look at the differences between raw and cooked peas. Remember that while raw peas are often sweet and earthy, some varieties can also be bitter, and the perfect way to remove their bitterness is to cook them.

Here are some characteristics of raw and cooked peas:

Texture

As stated, raw peas have a soft, rounded and plump texture, but when you cook them, they can look a little different! 

Cooked peas have a nearly hexagonal exterior. This occurs when the peas lose moisture and begin to shrivel. This gives them a rough texture, but can also make them extremely delicious, especially when fried!

Taste

Cooked peas have a rather vegetal flavor, hard to describe, but most people find it very nice, earthy, and springy. 

The flavor of cooked peas does not differ much from raw peas, but cooking lessens the bitterness of immature peas and brings out their sweetness. Depending on how you cook them, the peas will take on very different flavors.

For example, English peas are known to get a bit sweeter and also have a butter-like tenderness. This makes them ideal for cooking pea soups and other delicious recipes.

Raw vs. Fresh Peas canned peas

Raw peas and canned peas are different things. For one, canned peas are pre-cooked and submerged in a salty brine to keep them fresh and flavorful. 

Canned peas can be found in most supermarkets and there are several varieties. You can also search for different species of peas.

The canning process requires the peas to be half cooked and added to a liquid for heat transfer.

Although canned peas are considered safe to eat, it is still good practice to wash and cook them afterwards with food. You can also refer to the back of the package for more information on how to use canned peas.

Both raw and canned peas can be used interchangeably in recipes.

However, you should consider using small amounts of raw peas in dishes because, as explained above, raw peas can contain certain proteins that can affect digestion. 

In short, while raw peas are completely safe to eat and taste sweet and springy, it’s always a good idea to cook them any way you cook.

They usually take only 3-5 minutes to cook in the pan and can also be mixed and cooked along with other ingredients in the oven.

Related questions

Peas are an excellent source of vitamins and minerals. They are prized for their use in different cuisines and can add a lot of texture, liveliness and flavor to dishes too, regardless of whether you use them raw or cooked!

Now that you know everything about raw peas, here are a few related questions:

What is the best way to cook raw peas?

There are two methods for cooking raw peas. The first method is to boil them in water for about 3-4 minutes or until tender. The second way to cook peas is to sauté them in cooking oil. 

4-5 minutes over medium heat with a drizzle of olive oil should be more than enough to cook the peas and bring out their flavor.

Are small peas sweeter than big ones?

The size of snap pea pods and snap peas depends on the species and age. For example, the largest peas are known to come from more mature plants. These larger peas have a hard exterior and can be quite firm compared to their smaller counterparts.

In general, small to medium-sized peas with a soft exterior tend to be the sweetest , but you can get more or less the same flavor (regardless of age and type) if you cook the peas using any heating method.