What is the difference between bean and pea

I think this probably a case of people confusing the terms due to similarities. You'll also find confusion when asking people the difference between fruit and vegetables for example tomatoes.

I believe the confusion is because people call savory produce vegetables and sweet produce fruit, but it's supposed to be based how the plant produces. Let me know if my explanation was confusing in any way. Generally we grow up learning to call it beans or peas based on the labels and what our parents say.

Aishitechu No, it was fine. Thank you very much. The one learning a language! Learn about premium features. Tired of searching?

HiNative can help you find that answer you're looking for. All in all, peas and beans have more similarities than differences, but the differences are important, especially in terms of cultivation. Peas are generally round while beans have a wider variety of shapes.

Color also varies considerably with non-pea beans. Peas grow up support structures using grabby tendrils. Instead, the entire stem weaves and spiral around support structures. Arguably the biggest growing difference — and the most important for gardeners — involves the temperature requirements of each plant.

Beans typically prefer hot, summer weather. Peas, on the other hand, grow best in cooler temperatures. Peas can also be planted towards the end of the summer for a fall harvest. Beans prefer warm weather and are sensitive to frost. Peas being more delicate are usually frozen because they spoil a lot faster than beans.

Fresh peas should be cooked only briefly. Some pea varieties, however, are best dried yellow and green split peas, for instance. Other pea varieties are sold and eaten with pods still intact snap and snow peas, for example. Beans, like kidney and pinto beans, require a long cooking period once harvested. Beans can also be eaten fresh or dried, though they should be cooked thoroughly as some beans contain toxins which affect the digestive system kidney beans in particular.

Some peas, on the other hand, are delicious eaten raw—snap and English peas in particular. Certain fresh beans like lima and fava beans are almost as delicate as peas and are handled similarly in their non-dried state. Legumes peas and beans included! Because they contain plenty of fiber, legumes also aid in maintaining and improving gut health. Legumes are considered a pre-biotic food source. Some folks, however, do experience severe gas and bloating as a result of legumes breaking down within the digestive tract.

While their growth patterns differ, the two botanical species remain quite similar. Additionally, peas are typically consumed in their dried form, whereas beans can be consumed fresh or in their dried. Do not be afraid to pulse it out. Save Pin FB More. Credit: Maximilian Stock Ltd. By Sara Tane and Sara Tane. All rights reserved.