Mange-tout, sugar peas or snow peas, the kefe has many names. The popular pea variant is particularly popular in a variety of dishes due to its sweet aroma and easy preparation and is even offered raw. Because of this use, many people wonder whether the legumes are even edible in their raw state. Other legumes are poisonous when eaten raw.
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Sugar snap peas can be eaten raw?
Yes, snow peas are legumes that can be eaten raw without hesitation. Compared to other legumes, the kefe does not contain any toxins that make the raw consumption of many species of the genus so dangerous. One example is the classic kidney bean (bot. Phaseolus). These substances include:
- Phasin
- Hydrocyanic acid
- Protease-Inhibitoren
Together, these substances can lead to a multitude of ailments, most of which affect the digestive tract and the oxygen supply in the body. Children in particular are affected by this, as only a small amount is sufficient for a toxic effect. In the worst case, the phasin leads to death. For this reason, you must cook all types of kidney beans before you can eat them. The best part: This problem does not arise with the sugar snap peas. The aromatic pea variety can be eaten whole, although it is advisable to remove the following parts beforehand:
- end up
- Flowers on the snow peas from your own garden
These are not poisonous either, but due to their aroma they are inedible and can lead to mild stomach upsets. The pods and peas of snow peas can be eaten in large quantities without any problems, which makes them the most popular legume. All you have to do is wash the pods off beforehand and then eat them straight away. You make use of the numerous ingredients that the pods have to offer and that have a positive effect on your health. The following is an overview of the ingredients of the sugar snap peas:
- Protein
- Fiber
- Potassium
- Vitamin C
- Vitamin E
- Niacin
- Magnesium
- calcium
- Phosphor
- other minerals
As you can see, snap peas not only taste good, they also contain a multitude of ingredients that are important for a balanced diet. They are also one of the few legumes that you can offer children raw without any problems, as they are not toxic. In fact, in most cases, children enjoy eating the pods. If you grow sugar snap peas yourself, you should definitely harvest the peas early for consumption. The younger the pods, the more pleasant the aroma, because bitter substances form over time, which can have an intense effect on the aroma. For this reason, the young pods are particularly recommended.
Raw sugar snap peas: potential dangers
Despite the non-toxicity of the pods, there are certain situations when eating them raw is not recommended. This is also due to ingredients that could cause potential problems for certain people. On the one hand, allergens should be mentioned here that can occur as cross-allergens with the following plants:
- Peas (bot. Pisum sativum)
- Beifußpollen (bot. Artemisia vulgaris)
A cross allergy describes a form of allergy in which the person affected is allergic to certain plants whose allergens are very similar to other species. That said, if you are allergic to mugwort pollen, you shouldn’t avoid raw Pisum sativum subsp. sativum convar. Eat axiphium, otherwise allergic reactions up to anaphylactic shock can occur. A possible allergy to sugar peas can be noticeable, for example, by a tingling sensation on the lip after the pods have eaten. In addition to a possible allergy to the legumes, you should also watch out for possible intolerance to the following substances:
- histamine
- Salicylic acid
If you do not tolerate these substances so well, you may experience symptoms that are similar to those of allergies. In most cases, these intolerances occur when you are already allergic, pregnant or weakened by chronic diseases. But that doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t eat the peas at all. Just cut down on the amount and don’t overeat the pods. This will not put any strain on your body. Furthermore, people with a weak or sensitive gastrointestinal tract should also only consume small amounts, otherwise the following symptoms can occur:
- Constipation
- Flatulence
- stomach pain
- nausea
Conclusion
If you cut sugar snap peas raw in your salad or just want to nibble, you can do so without hesitation. The pea variety is not poisonous and due to the ingredients it is ideal for making your own diet much more conscious.
