Legume
Black-Eyed Pea
S tier
Black-eyed peas are cream cowpeas with a black hilum “eye”—the New Year’s luck pulse of the US South and a daily bean across West Africa and the diaspora. Flavour is distinctive earthy-mineral; texture is creamy with slight firmness. Hoppin’ John, stewed tomatoes pots, salads. Smoked meat is traditional in Southern pots but not mandatory. Canned and frozen forms are common; dry beans taste deeper.
Track this ingredient
Unit
Characteristics
Preparations
Hoppin JohnNew YearSaladStew
Traits
Black HilumCreamyEarthyIconicMineralSouthern Icon
History
US
Black-eyed peas became emblematic of Southern US and African American cookery.
US
New Year’s black-eyed pea traditions spread widely in the US.
Black-eyed peas remained a global soul-food and West African staple label.