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Regular versus Petite Peas

We’ve always been big fans of frozen peas and have seen two varieties in the freezer aisle: regular frozen peas, and bags labeled "petite peas." To see if there is a difference, we tasted each type with butter.

We’ve always been big fans of frozen peas. Individually frozen right after being shucked from the pod, they are often sweeter and fresher-tasting than the shuck-’em-yourself “fresh” peas that may have spent days in storage, slowly losing sweetness and gaining starchiness. We’ve seen two varieties in the freezer aisle: regular frozen peas, and bags labeled “petite peas” (or sometimes “petit pois” or “baby sweet peas”). To see if there is a difference, we tasted each type with butter. Tasters unanimously favored the smaller peas for their sweeter flavor and creamier texture. Regular peas were by no means unacceptable but had tougher skins and mealier interiors. Since both varieties are available for the same price, we’re going with the petite peas from now on.

SWEET AND PETITE

Petite peas are less starchy with a sweeter flavor than their “regular” counterparts.

REGULAR PEAS

By no means unacceptable, these have tougher skins and mealier interiors than petite peas.

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