Popular Varieties Of Lentils

2024 Author: Jasmine Walkman | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 08:29

The lens is among the most useful legumes and unlike the beans themselves, it cooks very quickly and does not need to be pre-soaked.

Here we will not give our preferences to lentils at the expense of beans, which are undoubtedly very useful for our health, but we will only present you which ones are the most popular varieties of lentils, what is the difference in the way they are prepared and their price (there are few Bulgarians who are not interested in the price of food), as well as for what dishes the different varieties of lentils are most suitable.

Classic brown lens

There are no statistics to show which variety of lentils the Bulgarian prefers, but it is probably the brown lentils. Also known as continental or Egyptian lentils, it is the cheapest (about BGN 1.50 per 500 g) and easy to cook. In fact, you even have to be very careful not to boil it, because its cooking time is usually about 20 minutes. It is suitable for our typical soups and stews, but it can also be used for salads and side dishes. As long as you don't spoil it, which, as we mentioned, is not difficult at all.

French green lentils

Unlike brown lentils, green French lentils do not boil as easily and have a taste that is slightly reminiscent of hazelnuts. It is grown in both Italy and North America, but in 1996 it was patented by the French and its name remains French lentils. Its price is about BGN 2 per 500 g and in its true homeland, France, in fine restaurants it is served with cheese or as a side dish to smoked salmon.

Red lentil

It actually has brown grains whose scales are removed and reach consumers rather in orange. It is not even very clear why it is named red and not orange, but because it cooks very quickly, it is extremely suitable for making more mushy culinary dishes such as creams and purees. Due to the fact that it is without a shell, it is suitable for consumption by young children, and its price is quite decent - about BGN 2 for 500 g.

Black lentils

Photo: Febdec

It is called the Queen of Lentils or the Caviar of Lentils. Why caviar? Because it has pure black grains that resemble the beluga caviar. As a result, in Russia, as in a number of Central Asian countries, it is also known as Beluga. And because of its more exotic appearance, it is especially appreciated by the master chefs, who prepare all kinds of appetizers, salads and side dishes with it. Although a bit more expensive, its price is still acceptable, especially if you have decided to impress someone - about BGN 3 for 400 g.