Lentils are considered one of the most sustainable proteins. Lentil agriculture has a low carbon and water footprint. Lentil farming requires no fertilizers. Lentils, like beans, are a legume.
One of the next things we wondered was; are water lentils the most sustainable food source on Earth?
Some sources claimed that amount of growth and replenishment could make water lentils the most sustainable and nutritionally complete food source on earth. Suitable for vegans, vegetarians, and those on a gluten-free diet, water lentils are a great protein source for everyone. They’re also extremely high in vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and micronutrients.
Why Cook with lentils?
Cooking with lentils is the way to satisfy Millennial and Gen-Z consumers’ growing interest in healthy and crave-able plant protein solutions, while also solving operational needs for cost-efficient and sustainable menu solutions. For more information, recipe ideas, or to learn how to partner with us please visit Lentils., and org/foodservice.
One inquiry we ran across in our research was “Why are lentils so popular with millennials?”.
Lentils are a sustainable crop – fixing their own nitrogen into the soil and having a low water footprint. Cooking with lentils is the way to satisfy Millennial and Gen-Z consumers’ growing interest in healthy and crave-able plant protein solutions, while also solving operational needs for cost-efficient and sustainable menu solutions.
Water Lentils as a Source of Protein Suitable for vegans, vegetarians, and those on a gluten-free diet, water lentils are a great protein source for everyone. They’re also extremely high in vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and micronutrients. Their amino acid content is comparable to that in eggs and milk, while remaining 100% plant-based .
Where does lentil come from?
The word lentil comes from the Latin lens, and indeed, this bean cousin is shaped like the double convex optic lens that took its name from the lentil. Lentil artifacts have been found on archeological digs on the banks of the Euphrates River dating back to 8,000 B. And there is evidence of the Egyptians, Romans, and Hebrews eating this legume.
In archaeobotanical excavations carbonized remains of lentil seeds have been recovered from widely dispersed places such as Tell Ramad in Syria (6250-5950 BC), Aceramic Beidha in Jordan, Hacilar in Turkey (5800-5000 BC), Tepe Sabz (Ita. Tepe Sabz) in Iran (5500-5000 BC) and Argissa-Magula Tessaly in Greece (6000-5000 BC), along other places.
One query we ran across in our research was “What is the origin of lentil soup?”.
The ancient Greeks were lovers of lentil soup, as attested to by a comment by Aristophanes: “You, who dare insult lentil soup, sweetest of delicacies.”.
What is the oldest known fossil of lentils?
The oldest known carbonized remains of lentil from Greece ‘s Franchthi Cave are dated to 11,000 BC. In archaeobotanical excavations carbonized remains of lentil seeds have been recovered from widely dispersed places such as Tell Ramad in Syria (6250-5950 BC), Aceramic Beidha in Jordan, Hacilar in Turkey (5800-5000 BC), Tepe Sabz (Ita.