Pisum sativum
About
Pea shoots are grown from the same seed that produces garden peas, though harvested long before any pod ever forms. What starts as a climbing vine reaching for a trellis is instead enjoyed as a tender young shoot, capturing the sweet, grassy flavor of spring peas in leaf and tendril form.
Flavor Profile & Texture
The flavor is fresh, sweet, and unmistakably pea-like, essentially concentrated spring pea flavor in leaf form. The texture is tender overall, with crisp stems and curling tendrils that add a pleasant, slightly crunchy bite, closer to a delicate leafy vegetable than a typical fine-textured microgreen.
Nutritional Information
Nutrient Amount (Per 100g, Raw)
Calories ~42 kcal
Vitamin C ~ Excellent source
Vitamin A ~ Good source
Folate ~ Good source
Fiber ~ Good source
Approximate values, based on general USDA and published nutrient data for this or closely related species. Provided for general educational purposes only, not medical advice.
Keeping It Fresh
Store unwashed in a vented container in the refrigerator; because the shoots are a bit heartier than finer microgreens, they hold up well for 6–8 days.
Culinary Uses
● Sautéed briefly with garlic as a quick side dish
● Tossed raw into spring salads
● Added to stir-fries in the last minute of cooking
● Blended into a bright green pea shoot pesto
● Used as a bed for delicate seafood dishes
Complementary Meals
Breakfast: Sauté pea shoots quickly with garlic and fold them into a breakfast frittata, or toss a handful raw over avocado toast for a fresh, sweet contrast.
Lunch: They're excellent tossed raw into a spring salad with radish and a light vinaigrette, or blended into a vibrant pesto to spread on a sandwich.
Dinner: A quick sauté with garlic and a touch of sesame oil makes a simple, elegant side dish, and pea shoots also make a lovely bed for a delicate seared fish or scallop entrée at dinner.
Drink Pairings
Wine: A crisp Sauvignon Blanc or unoaked Chardonnay complements pea shoots' fresh, sweet character. Wolf Mountain Vineyards & Winery in Dahlonega, GA, produces whites well suited to this pairing.
Beer: A light, grassy saison echoes the same fresh, vegetal sweetness. Wild Heaven Beer, based in Avondale Estates, GA, offers saison-style beers suited to this pairing.
Spirits: A classic gin and tonic, with its own herbal brightness, pairs naturally with pea shoots' fresh flavor. ASW Distillery's Winterville Gin, made in Atlanta, GA, is a good match.
Non-Alcoholic: A light, herbal or mint-forward kombucha complements pea shoots' sweetness. Golda Kombucha in Atlanta, GA, offers lighter, herbal varieties suited to this pairing.
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