How to Buy Peas
Peas are sold fresh, frozen, canned, or dried.
-
Fresh peas are sold still in their shells (also called pods). When buying fresh green peas, choose shiny, bright green, smooth-looking pods that seem to contain a good number of small seeds. When buying fresh snow peas or sugar snap peas, choose medium-sized peas with a firm, crisp, unblemished pod that is bright green in color. Avoid pods that appear to be soft, wrinkled, yellowed, or spotted.
-
Frozen peas are green peas that have been removed from their shells, frozen, and packaged in 1- or 2-pound freezer-ready bags.
-
Canned peas are green peas (and occasionally other varieties) that have been shelled and then canned in liquid. Though canned peas are convenient, many people consider them the least palatable form of peas.
-
Dried peas are peas that have been removed from the pod and dried. They’re sold whole or split. Split pleas often come in yellow and green varieties and are usually sold in bulk or in 1- or 2-pound bags.
