You might think of pea sprouts and pea shoots as vegetable twins, but they are very different from one another.
First off, pea sprouts are the babies of the family, just starting their green lives. Think of them as the infants in the pea world.
Pea shoots? They’re more like the lively toddlers, a bit more grown-up and with more flavor to boot.
Turns out, pea shoots offer a tad more zing, while sprouts are all about the crunch.
Pea Shoots vs Pea Sprouts: Key Differences in Growth, Taste and Use
Pea shoots and pea sprouts – though similar sounding – are distinctly different parts of the pea plant that vary in how they are cultivated, consumed, and their culinary uses. Understanding the differences between pea shoots and sprouts can help you pick the best option for your kitchen creations.
Pea shoots refer to the young, tender stems, leaves, and tendrils of pea plants (Pisum sativum). They are snipped early in the plant’s life cycle, usually 2-4 weeks after germination, while still delicate in texture and mild in flavor The entire above-ground portion of the young pea plant is harvested except for the root and seed pods
Pea shoots offer an fresh, sweet pea flavor with grassy, herbal notes. The tender shoots add texture and freshness when used as a salad topping, stir-fry ingredient, garnish, or edible accent. They provide vitamins A, C, K and antioxidants.
What are Pea Sprouts?
Pea sprouts are grown by germinating pea seeds until the root emerges and the first tiny leaves form. The entire sprouted seed is eaten – including root, stem, and leaves. Sprouts are usually 1-5 days old when harvested.
Compared to shoots, pea sprouts offer more fiber protein and minerals by incorporating the seed and root. Sprouts have an earthier nuttier flavor and added crunch. They are often used as a crispy topping for salads, sandwiches, bowls and more.
Key Differences Between Shoots and Sprouts
Parts Eaten
- Pea shoots: Stems, leaves, tendrils
- Pea sprouts: Entire sprouted seed including root
Age at Harvest
- Pea shoots: 2-4 weeks old
- Pea sprouts: 1-5 days old
Texture
- Pea shoots: Delicate, tender, soft
- Pea sprouts: Crispier, crunchier
Flavor
- Pea shoots: Mild, sweet, grassy
- Pea sprouts: Earthy, nutty, pea-like
Culinary Uses
- Pea shoots: Salads, stir-fries, garnish
- Pea sprouts: Salad topping, sandwich topper
Nutrition
- Pea shoots: Vitamins A, C, K. Antioxidants.
- Pea sprouts: Fiber, protein, minerals.
Growing Pea Shoots vs Sprouts
Pea Shoots
- Start seeds thickly in trays or pots. Water regularly.
- Harvest entire young seedling 2-4 weeks after germination.
- Can be grown indoors or outdoors.
Pea Sprouts
- Soak seeds 8-12 hours then drain well. Keep moist for 1-5 days.
- Harvest sprouts when root emerges and leaves form.
- Best grown indoors for food safety.
Choosing Between Shoots and Sprouts
Both pea shoots and sprouts offer tasty ways to add greens and savor fresh pea flavor. Pea shoots are more versatile for cooking applications like stir fries, soups and garnishes. Their delicate nature matches their mild sweet taste. Pea sprouts add delicious crunch and nutty flavor as a topping. Their compact size makes them perfect for sandwiches or boosting salads. Consider your recipe and the pea plant qualities you want most to choose between growing pea shoots or sprouts.
Plant Stage and Appearance
Pea sprouts and pea shoots? Sounds alike, right? Wrong.
They are two distinct stages of plant growth.
First, a seed bursts out of its shell.
This stage is called the pea sprout.
Next, the seedling matures into a plant.
Its slender stems hold leaves.
They look elegant, with long stems and slender leaves.
See distinctions between the two? Pea sprouts have shorter stems and plump leaves.
Pea shoots have slim stems and slim leaves.
Nature’s beauty is amazing.
Plants like pea sprouts and pea shoots show us how incredible it is.
Pea sprouts and pea shoots: similar, yet distinct.
Pea sprouts have a mild, delicate taste.
But pea shoots? Earthy flavor.
Texture-wise, sprouts are tender and crispy.
Shoots? Crunchy and leafy.
What sets them apart? Sprouts are the young seedlings from germinated peas.
Harvested when 2-3 inches long.
Shoots? Young leaves + stems from top of mature pea plant.
Harvested when 6-8 inches long.
Healthy benefits abound: vitamins, minerals, antioxidants.
Plus, a fresh addition to salads, stir-fries, soups, and sandwiches.
In conclusion: pea sprouts and pea shoots may be similar, but their taste + texture make them unique.
Whichever you choose, adding them to your meals is sure to upgrade your culinary experience.
Similarities Between Pea Sprouts and Pea Shoots
Pea sprouts and pea shoots are often confused.
They are both young, edible plants from a pea seed.
They are full of vitamins A and C, fiber, and protein.
Also, their taste and texture make them great for salads, stir-fries, and garnishes.
At home, they are simple to grow.
It doesn’t take much space and you can even grow them in containers or soil.
You can get fresh greens from your own garden after just a few weeks of care.
But each one has unique qualities.
Pea sprouts are harvested when they first come out of the seed.
They have a sweet and nutty flavor, and are often used as microgreens.
Pea shoots, however, are harvested later when they have longer stems and more leaves.
They have a milder taste, yet still remain crisp and fresh.
Pea shoots are usually used as leafy greens in dishes.
EP7: Pea shoots are delicious, so why not grow them in just 7 days and harvest again and again
FAQ
Are pea sprouts the same as pea shoots?
What is the difference between sprout and shoot?
Can I eat pea shoots raw?
Are pea shoots the same as microgreens?
What are pea sprouts?
Pea sprouts are young pea plants that have just started to grow from pea seeds. They are also known as pea shoots or pea microgreens. These sprouts are tender, with a sweet flavor and a crunchy texture that makes them a popular ingredient in salads, sandwiches, stir-fries, and other dishes. Sign up for the latest!
Are peas good for hair?
Peas are full of many nutrients that could be beneficial for hair health, however, many foods contain these nutrients, and I wouldn’t recommend adding peas to your diet solely for hair health benefits. Peas are healthy and I would recommend adding them to you diet if you like to eat them.
Are pea sprouts available year-round?
Pea sprouts are available year-round, but they are best in cool seasons, particularly late winter/early spring. Pea sprouts are a type of sprouted legume that is easy to grow and can be used in a variety of dishes.
When are pea sprouts harvested?
Pea sprouts are harvested when they are just a few inches tall. They are composed of the whole young plant, including the stalk and leaves, and are grown from newly sprouted pea seeds. Pea sprouts are available year-round, but they are best in cool seasons, particularly late winter/early spring.
Are peas high in protein?
Peas are a great vegetarian or vegan protein source. Per 100g of peas, it contains 5g of protein. This is not necessarily high in protein because if compared to something like chicken, there is 27g of protein per 100g. Peas do contain protein but are not necessarily high in protein.
Is an allergy to peas common?
The top food allergies are milk, egg, wheat, soy, peanut, tree nuts, fish, shellfish; allergies to legumes including peas are thought to be the next most common allergy. People are usually not allergic to all legumes, but allergy to more than one legume often occurs.