Small history

The lentil is a plant of the Papilionaceae family. Its seeds constitute a legume of exceptional flavor.

In France, Berry is the main region for green lentil production. The Berry green lentil, known for its chestnut-like flavor, boasts a "Red Label" - a mark granted to products of exceptional quality - as well as a Protected Geographic Identification designation, which gives producers the exclusive right to use the designation of origin for their lentils, in recognition of the link between the product and its terroir.

In the Puy region, the green lentil takes the name of the land where almost 850 producers grow lentils on 3000 hectares, producing up to 35,000 hundredweight of lentils. One hectare of lentils brings the farmer as much as 2.5 hectares of wheat.

The green color is typical of this variety. The green lentil grains contain a blue pigment called anthocyanin in their yellow kernel. This combination of blue and yellow produces the characteristic green. During their development the lentils undergo severe hydric stress which hastens their maturity.

Every year when the harvest season arrives, the "New Lentil Festival" takes place in the town square of Puy-en-Velay. On this occasion producers and processors come together to offer a taste of the new crop to the assembled crowd.

Nutrition
Green lentils provide four times more fiber than rice, pasta or potatoes. They are more digestible than beans, thanks to their low cellulose content. Rich in vitamins B1, B2 and B6, green lentils also contain three times more calcium than cereal grains and seven times more iron than spinach. Some nutritionists even maintain that eating legumes, including lentils, helps reduce cholesterol.

In the kitchen
Green lentils cook twice as fast as other varieties.