Organic black beluga lentils are healthy and versatile little black lentils with a rich, earthy flavour and a soft texture, which makes them easy to cook. They are a great addition to salads, stews, soups and an array of main dishes.They are also inexpensive, making them a great staple for anyone interested in healthy, frugal living. They are fast cooking and don't require soaking beforehand, making their preparation faster yet.
Beluga lentils get their black colour from high levels of anthocyanins, which is also what gives berries and plums their dark colour, and is believed to be beneficial for memory and contains cancer-fighting properties. Beluga lentils also have high levels of vitamins, minerals and protein, fibre and are also low in calories.
To cook, add one cup of lentils to 2–3 cups of water, boil for 2 minutes, and then simmer for 30 minutes or until soft.
When dried lentils boil, a foam forms on the top of the cooking liquid. This foam is water-soluble protein released from the beans and it will be absorbed back into the bean cooking liquid, thus it is not necessary to remove.
Cooking tip: cook all of the lentils at once and then freeze them into portions. Then you can throw them into any dish straight out of the freezer! Save money and be kinder on our earth by reducing the need for tins.
Organic farming uses the best of traditional agriculture and responsiveness to the land to create biodiversity and environmental balance; a sustainable approach free from artificial intervention.