SC - beans

[Philip & Susan Troy]

Marisa Herzog wrote:
> 
>                       RE>>SC - beans                               10/9/97
> 
> <snip>
> > type of bean similar to Black eyed peas that were found in the Old World
> > besides chick peas, lentils and et al.  They also ate vetch but <snip>
> True, there are peas to be considered, as well as the lentils, favas,
> and chick peas. I don't really know why they would be considered
> separately, but for some obscure reason, it seems they are.
> <snip>
> 
> I thought black eyed peas *were* beans?  Are they considered as well as called
> peas?
> -brid
> (confused)

This is a case where there seem to be few clear lines to be drawn. They
certainly resemble beans, but I'm not entirely up on what the botanical
differences between peas and beans are. They really should be considerd
together, because it is obviously misleading to suggest that only favas,
lentils, and chick peas (which are really a variety of lentil, BTW) were
eaten by period Europeans. I believe black-eyed peas are actually Asian,
and cow peas, which are similar, are African in origin. Note that part
of this confusing question might be brought on by somebody assuming that
the only legumes eaten by period Europeans are the ones that are
indigenous to Europe, and ignoring what may be period imports which
might have more claim to legitimacy than New World beans.

Adamantius 
______________________________________
Phil & Susan Troy
troy at asan.com
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