For many people, spring has truly arrived only with that first
taste of fresh-picked, sweet English peas. Their season is so
lamentably short, it’s estimated that 95% of the world’s pea
crop is either frozen or canned — so fresh peas truly are a
special treat! Though debate still rages, peas probably
originated in Asia. Along with wheat and barley, peas are one of
humanity’s oldest cultivated crops. English peas (so called
because of the many varieties developed in England) are also
known as garden or green peas. They’re members of the legume
family; their thick pod contains a string of up to 8 small green
seeds. Because they flourish only in cool, moist conditions,
English peas are available for just a short time: late April,
May, and perhaps through June in areas where spring comes late
or there’s coastal fog. How to select and store peas Look for
bright green, shiny and firm pods that squeak when you rub two
together. The sweetest, most tender peas will be the size of
pearls, and they’ll fill their pod snu