Lentils are shaped like a lens. In fact, lens is the latin word for lentil. The size and appearance of lentils varies depending on the variety.

According to the Bible, Esau was tricked into selling his birthright for a pottage of lentils. (Genesis 25:34)

Lentils have been found in Egyptian tombs that date from 2400 BC. It may have been used as an aphrodisiac. They also thought that the lentil enlightened the minds of children, making them more cheerful and studious.

ANCIENT LENTILS

The Egyptians are also thought to have introduced the lentil to the Greeks and Romans. In Ancient Greece, Hippocrates prescribed lentils and slices of dog for liver ailments.

Lentils were probably cultivated in the gardens of Babylon in 800 BC.

EASTERN WASHINGTON
The lentil is a cousin of the bean, and both are a part of the legume family. All legumes are seeds that grow within pods. Click here for a brief history of farming on the Palouse.
 
PREPARATION Lentils are simple to prepare. Simply sort, removing any debris.Then rinse and boil for fifteen to twenty minutes.There is no need to soak lentils.
 
Storing lentils is simple. They keep indefinitely in a cool, dry place. After long storage, the color may fade slightly, but the taste will not be noticeably altered.
 
Lentils are PACKED with nutrients, fiber, complex carbohydrates, and folic acld. Lentils are a low calorie, low fat, and cholesterol free food. They are also inexpensive.
 
During World War lI, Americans were encouraged to eat lentils to help the wartime economy.
 
NUTRITION
Folic Acid is one very important nutrient found in lentils. One cup of cooked lentils provides 90% of the recommended daily allowance (RDA). Lentils provide more folic acid than any other unfortified food.
 
Lentils are also an important source of iron. Eating lentils with foods rich in Vitamin C, such as tomatoes, green peppers, broccoli, and citrus fruits or juices, helps the body absorb iron more efficiently.
 
Lentils are also protein rich. They lack only one protein, methionine. Adding grains, eggs, nuts, seeds, meat, dairy products, or egg will provide a complete protein.
 
Soluble fiber in lentils acts as a scrub brush, cleaning the digestive system. This type of fiber also decreases serum glucose and cholesterol, and decreases insulin requirements for people with diabetes.