Versatile, flavorful, budget-friendly, and nutrient-dense, legumes are plants that bear their fruit inside a pod. Within the legume family, there are a number of subcategories including beans and pulses. While all beans are legumes, not all legumes are beans. They’re loaded with protein, fiber, vitamins, and minerals. Beans are a dietary staple all over the world, and types include kidney beans, pinto beans, navy beans, black beans, and lima beans. You can boil them, steam them, or add them to salads, soups, stews, and casseroles. Pulses are the edible seeds of legumes. They’re harvested when fully mature, and usually dried. They have many nutritional benefits, including a high protein content. When dried, they can be stored for long periods without spoiling. Pulses include chickpeas (garbanzo beans), lentils, and split peas.…
