Beluga lentil

Lentille beluga

What it is

Named for the caviar it resembles once cooked — small, glossy and jet black. The colour is anthocyanin and it survives cooking better than most, which is why the lentil stays black rather than turning the muddy brown of its cousins.

In the kitchen

Serve it where the colour shows — under white fish, beside a poached egg. Buried in a brown stew you have wasted the point.

Goes with

Salmon Crème fraîche Shallot Lemon Dill Olive oil Egg Chives

Same species

Blond lentil Puy lentil Lentils Red lentil

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