Black Beluga Lentils
By: Anonymous

About

Black Beluga Lentils are small lentils that are shiny black in color, easy to cook, and are good in soups or salads. Because of their size and color, it is thought that they look like beluga caviar.

Information
Translations: Black Beluga Lēcas, Juodosios Beluga Lęšiai, Negru Beluga Linte, Crno Beluga Leća, Đậu lăng đen Beluga, Soczewica Black Beluga, Zwarte Beluga Linzen, काली दाल Beluga, Beluga Lentilhas Black, Чечевица Черного Beluga, Black Φακές Beluga, العدس الأسود بيلوجا, 검은 철갑 렌즈콩, Černá Beluga Čočka, Црна Белуга Сочиво, 黑白鲸小扁豆, Negre llenties Beluga, Black Beluga Leča, Čierna Beluga Šošovka, Black Beluga Lenticchie, שחור עדשים בלוגה, Svart Beluga Linser, Black Beluga Lentil, ブラックベルーガレンズ豆, Lentilles Beluga Black, Black Belugalinsen, Sort Beluga Linser, Svart Beluga Lentils, Negro lentejas Beluga, Сочевиця Чорного Beluga, Musta Beluga Linssi, Черно Beluga Леща


Physical Description
With an appearance similar to beluga caviar, black beluga lentils are one of the smallest in the lentil family and have a jet black, shiny skin once cooked. Once peeled or split, these black lentils reveal a rich yellow core. 


Preparation and Use
Lentils, a favorite in soups and vegetarian dishes, come in dozens of varieties and colors.Because black beluga lentils tend to become soft when cooked, they are ideal for soups and stews. Lentils can also be cooked with grains to make baked goods. Served cold, black beluga lentils have a firmer texture and are popular in salads or as a side dish. 


Conserving and Storing
To preserve quality store in a cool dry area. 65º F



Social/Political
 Now this versatile legume is cultivated in many parts of the world and a core ingredient in world cuisine. 
History: They are considered one of the earliest cultivated crops and native to the Nile, Tigris, and Euphrates Valleys in the Middle East (a.k.a the Fertile Crescent) as early as 6,000 B.C. Naturally eaten before domestication, remains of charred wild lentils have been found in Greek caves dating back to 11,000 B.C.