If you don’t know what Lentils taste like, you are in the right place because, in this article, we will discuss the taste of lentils, their health benefits and much more.
We will also go through several queries related to Lentils to give you some much-needed clarity.
What Are Lentils?
Lentils are a variety of Legumes and a popular for their lens-shaped seeds.
The seeds grow in a pod and usually have a length of 40 cm.
Lentils are a food crop, and most of the world’s production comes from India and Canada, which produce 58 % of the worldwide output.
What Do Lentils Taste Like?
Lentils have a mild and earthy taste; once cooked, they develop a mushy texture.
However, the taste depends on the variety of lentils.
Usually, the taste ranges from peppery and sweet to a nutty flavor.
How Are Lentils Made?
To harvest Lentils, the entire plant is removed from the ground.
If the pods need to dry out, you can lay them out in the sun until they are completely brown and dry.
Then, the Lentil plants are threshed (Shaken) to remove all the pods.
You can then remove the seeds from the pods and you can put the seeds in a bucket.
How Do You Cook Lentils?
Cooking Lentils is easy; for every cup of dry Lentils, you need 2 cups of cooking liquid.
Then, you need to simmer the lentils until they are tender.
However, you should always put a timer on while cooking the Lentils as they can get mushy very quickly.
Here is the complete cooking process:
Rinse The Lentils
Measure a cup of Lentils into a mesh strainer and rinse them under cold water until the water runs clear.
Boil The Lentils
Add the Lentils to a small pot, and cover them with 2 cups water or chicken stock.
Then, add a pinch of salt, place the Lentils over medium heat and bring it to a boil.
Once the Lentils are boiling, reduce the heat and cover them.
Let The Lentils Simmer
Let the Lentils simmer until they are tender and soft.
However, the Lentils should not fall apart.
The average cooking time for Lentils is 20 minutes.
If, after 20 minutes, the Lentils are not tender, check on them every 5 minutes.
Strain And Season The Lentils
Eliminate the access water, and add your favorite seasoning to the Lentils.
While most people use olive oil, pepper and salt, you can also use paprika, cumin or other combinations.
What Do You Eat Lentils With?
Here is what you can serve with Lentils:
Rice And Lentils
Nothing is better than roasted veggies, tahini sauce and warm brown rice with Lentils.
When you combine Lentils with rice, it produces a Gourmet and becomes a highly healthy meal.
Beef And Lentils
You can also enjoy a delicious meal of minced meat, Lentils and roasted vegetables.
The food is nutritious and economical; you can cook it in one pot.
You should also add crushed tomatoes, garlic, Moroccan spices and onions to the meal.
Lentils Soup
Lentils are made from vegetables and lentils.
The soup pairs well with Italian salad, dinner rolls and grated parmesan juice.
Lentils Bolognese
This dish consists of Lentils, several seasonings, vegetables and tomato sauce.
Lentils Burrito
Instead of stuffing burritos with beef, fish or black beans, you can stuff Lentils.
First, you need to get the tortilla and add the Lentils are other ingredients such as greens, Guac Salsa and Red cabbage.
Are Lentils Good For You?
Here are some benefits that Lentils offer:
Rich In Nutrients
While Lentils are often overlooked and not considered nutrient-rich, they are inexpensive to increase your nutrient intake.
Lentils are packed with potassium, zinc, magnesium and B vitamins.
Lentils are also rich in proteins, making them a perfect meat substitute.
Lentils have a high iron content, which is a mineral that is typically absent from veggie diets.
While the nutrient content depends on the variety of Lentils you are cooking, 198 grams (1 Cup) of Lentils generally offers this:
- Carbohydrates: 39.9 grams
- Calories: 230
- Fat: 0.8 grams
- Protein: 17.9 grams
- Fiber: 15.6 grams
- Vitamin B6: 21 % of DV
- Thiamine: 28 % of DV
- Folate: 90 % of DV
- Niacin: 13 % of DV
- Zinc: 23 % of DV
- Manganese: 43 % of DV
Lentils are rich in fiber, which can promote the growth of healthy bacteria and regular bowel movements.
Consuming Lentils can also improve your overall gut function and increase your stool weight.
Lentils also contain a wide array of plant compounds, known as phytochemicals, and many of these compounds protect against diseases such as Type-II diabetes and Heart diseases.
Polyphenols Found In Lentils Offer Several Health Benefits
Lentils have a high content of Polyphenols, which are phytochemicals that promote healthiness.
Some polyphenols in Lentils, such as flavanols and procyanidin, are known to have neuroprotective, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects.
When tested in a laboratory, the polyphenols found in Lentils could stop the growth of cancer cells.
While researchers still don’t know how polyphenols were able to stop cancer cell growth, these polyphenols can also improve the blood sugar levels in the body.
An animal study concluded that eating Lentils regularly can lower blood sugar levels.
It should also be noted that polyphenols found in Lentils don’t lose their health-promoting abilities once the Lentils are cooked.
However, studies on humans are needed before we can conclude.
Lentils Can Offer Your Heart Protection
Eating Lentils regularly can decrease the risk of heart diseases.
An 8-week study conducted on 39 individuals with type-II diabetes who were obese concluded that eating 60 grams of Lentils daily increased good cholesterol (HLD) and substantially reduced Triglycerides and Bad cholesterol (LDL).
Lentils can also lower blood pressure, and a study on rats found that those rats that consumed Lentils had a reduction in their blood pressure levels than those rats that only ate beans, peas or chickpeas.
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Proteins in Lentils are also effective at blocking angiotensin I-converting enzymes, which can increase blood pressure levels and trigger blood vessel constriction.
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High Homocysteine levels also increase the risk of heart diseases.
These levels can increase when your folate intake is low and insufficient.
Since Lentils are rich in folate, they can prevent homocysteine from accumulating in the body.
If you are obese or overweight, you risk developing heart disease.
Consuming Lentils daily can decrease food intake, which can contribute to weight maintenance or weight loss.
Related Questions About Lentils?
What Are The Different Types Of Lentils?
Lentils are typically categorized by color, ranging from yellow and green to red, black or brown.
Here are some common varieties of Lentils:
Red Lentils
These lentils cook quickly; they are perfect for making Indian dals and have a nutty flavor.
Puy Lentils
These Lentils are from the French region of Le Puy.
These Lentils have a peppery taste and are 1/3rd the size of French green Lentils.
Brown Lentils
This is the most popular variety of Lentils; they hold their shape well during cooking, have an earthy flavor and are great for soups and stews.
Black Beluga Lentils
These are small black lentils that resemble caviar.
These Lentils are perfect for making a delicious base for salads.
Are Lentils Healthier Than Rice?
Lentils are healthier than rice and have a higher protein content than rice. Check out 5 Best Water Test Kits and 5 Best Plantain Chips.
Conclusion
This article discusses several aspects of Lentils, such as their taste, how it is cooked, their health benefits, etc.
Hopefully, this article will inspire you to make Lentils a regular part of your diet.
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