Fresh peas abound at Koyambedu

Chennai: Fresh green peas from Jabalpur, butter beans from Kodaikanal, and double beans from Kolar have flooded the Koyambedu wholesale market. This marks the arrival of the winter harvest, fuelling Chennai kitchens for hearty winter dishes—from steaming pea soup and rich matar paneer to refreshing double bean or butter bean salads.While frozen peas are available all year, this is the season for the fresh kind. At the wholesale market, green peas are priced between 40 and 50 per kg, depending on variety, freshness, and quality. Double beans from Kolar, Krishnagiri, and Andhra Pradesh fetch 50-60 per kg, while butter beans from Kodaikanal command about 100 per kg. These prices, vendors say, are at least 20% lower compared to the non-season frozen varieties. Ram Mohan S, who heads NRC Agro, a wholesale store at Koyambedu, said, "Fresh peas are good this year. Farmers in Jabalpur expect a strong harvest until Feb, so prices may ease further," he said.
In retail markets, peas are sold at 80-100 per kg, while double beans cost up to 150. "I shell and freeze the pods to use over the next few months. Somehow, double beans and butter beans last longer," said Saranya D, a homemaker.Vendors explain why. While legumes reach the market three to four days after harvest, peas take about a week to 10 days to travel from Madhya Pradesh. Although freezing prolongs shelf life, quality declines if storage conditions are not ideal due to increased starchiness and loss of tenderness. "I tell customers to buy good quality, shell and freeze their stock they buy at the market as soon as they get home," said Ram Mohan.Experts recommend blanching fresh peas for 1-2 minutes, then plunging them into ice water, drying, and freezing them immediately in airtight bags to preserve quality for six to eight months. "Avoid freezing if signs of decay are visible. Freezing stores the vegetable, but damage cannot be reversed," said hotelier Kadhiresan S.Alongside peas and other legumes, pigeon peas (thuvarai) and field beans (mochai) from Kolar and Krishnagiri, priced at 40-50 per kg, also add to the seasonal supply.

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