Lentils are rich in fiber, minerals, proteins and vitamins and Canada is one of the leading producers and exporters of green lentils. The fiber lowers blood cholesterol levels and reduces heart diseases. It helps those with diabetes and hyperglycemia by stabilizing their blood glucose levels. An important mineral in lentils is the Iron; it helps with transporting oxygen throughout the body, which helps with increasing energy and metabolism.
Large (6.0 – 7.0 mm) lentil with a green skin and yellow cotyledon.
Medium (5.5 – 6.0 mm) lentil with a green skin and yellow cotyledon. It is used in soups and has a relatively neutral flavor
Small (4.5 – 5.5 mm) lentil with a green skin and yellow cotyledon. Its low starch and color content makes clear soups and is also used in salads.
Crimson Lentils (Lens Esculenta) Whole Red Lentil, The skin is removed from the lentil, leaving the inside portion of the seed whole (not split).
Split red lentils are made from splitting the whole red lentil. Split red lentils are made from splitting the whole red lentil.
Canada grows mostly kabuli (8mm-10mm) chickpeas, also known as “garbanzo beans”. Chickpeas are grown in the southern portions of the provinces of Alberta and Saskatchewan. Zenith Westcoast Holding Inc. is one of the emerging companies in the Canadian chickpeas export niche delivering high quality chickpeas to wholesalers all around the world.
Chickpea flour and split desi chickpeas are available from Canadian suppliers and used in many ethnic food products around the world. Some pastas, baking mixes and snack foods contain chickpea flour where it enhances the nutritional value of these products by boosting fiber and protein content.
