The History of Peas

Peas are a cool weather crop and gardeners can enjoy a spring and fall harvest. They are easy to grow and a children mealtime favorite. Because of their mass appeal, peas have been grown for centuries. Their exact origin is unknown, but peas could have come from either Egypt or China.

Emperor Shu Nung, an avid plant collector, found a pea plant while wandering the Chinese countryside 5000 years ago, and began cultivating it for human consumption. Shu Nung's plant discoveries were first tested on a dog, and then on a slave, to see if they were safe enough to it.

The Norse believed that the god Thor rained pea seeds down upon them as a punishment, but the peas grew where they landed and the people began to eat them. Peas were also found in ancient Egyptian tombs, and in the Middle Ages, Europeans dried peas as a reserve in times of famine (dried peas store for a very long time). The early Americans who emigrated from Europe depended on peas to help them survive. In the 17th century, people began to eat peas fresh and they were soon considered a delicacy (the above historical information gathered from http://gardening.wsu.edu/library/vege006/vege006.htm)

And we all know the children's rhyme: "Pease porridge hot, pease porridge cold..."

The peas in the Puntledge school garden are "Sugar Daddy" sugar snap peas, a semi-dwarf variety with edible pods. Peas are rich in anti-oxidants, iron, vitamin C, B 6, magnesium, and many other nutrients.