The Yellow Pea Plant, known scientifically as Pisum sativum, is part of the Fabacea family of plants, the third largest group of flowering plants in the world. They grow only a few feet tall, usually in cooler climates, and produce around 6 pods per plant. Plants with flowering pods, or fruit, are called legumes, which comes from the Latin word meaning “to gather.”

The pea pods that grow on a yellow pea plant have around 6-8 peas on average. Although most of us think of green when we hear the word “pea,” you might encounter a few different varieties of pea pods, including purple, and the yellow seed variety used in ZENB products. When yellow peas fully mature and the pods dry out, they are ready to be harvested and turned into delicious gluten free pasta and crackers!

The yellow peas used in ZENB products are harvested from golden yellow pods. Yellow peas have a subtle, nutty taste, which is probably the biggest difference to green peas which tend to be bolder and sweeter. In order to preserve as much of the benefits that nature provides, we developed a process that allows us to use the entire yellow pea, including the skin.

Yellow peas are a rich source of plant-based protein, which is a key contributor to muscle growth and cell repair, and helps with bone health. Protein-rich foods can also help you feel full longer due to how they digest in the body.

The fiber inside yellow peas helps sustain the microbiome — the microbes inside the human body that help with digestion, maintain energy through the day, destroy harmful bacteria, and support your immune system.

Yellow peas include all 9 amino acids that are the building blocks of protein contributing to muscle development, blood flow, and full body health. The mighty yellow pea also provides needed minerals like iron, potassium and zinc, and vitamins A, C, and K, as well as nearly all the B vitamins, like thiamin and niacin.

By the way, yellow peas are also gluten-free, cholesterol-free, and low in fat.