What Are Puy Lentils?
Puy lentils are a protected green lentil variety (Lens culinaris) grown in volcanic soils in the Le Puy-en-Velay region of France, protected by a geographic designation (AOC). They are smaller than other green lentils and have dark green and navy speckles.
Their most distinctive feature is that they largely hold their shape and do not fall apart during cooking, which makes them popular in salads and side dishes. Their flavor is more pronounced, earthy, and mineral than that of ordinary green lentils.
Puy Lentil Nutrition Facts
One hundred grams of boiled Puy lentils contains about 116 kcal of energy, 9 g of plant protein, and 7.9 g of fiber; they are also rich in iron. The values are approximate and similar to those for green lentils.
How to Eat Puy Lentils
With their high fiber and plant protein content, Puy lentils can be considered part of a balanced diet; because they hold their shape, they also work well in cold salads.
This is general information; Puy lentils are a food, not a medical treatment.
How to Choose Puy Lentils
Good Puy lentils are small, whole, and speckled dark green and navy; excess dust and faded color indicate staleness.
- The lentils should be small, whole, and darkly speckled.
- There should be few dusty or broken lentils.
- Look for an “AOC Le Puy” or similar origin label on the package to verify quality.
How to Store Puy Lentils
Store dry Puy lentils in a sealed jar in a cool, dark cupboard for up to 1 year. Boiled lentils stay fresh for 3–4 days in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
Using Puy Lentils in the Kitchen
Puy lentils are most often used in cold salads, warm side dishes, and as an accompaniment to fish and meat; because they do not fall apart, they work well in dishes where a separate, grain-by-grain presentation is important.
Are Puy Lentils the Same as Green Lentils?
They are closely related but not the same; Puy is a protected French variety with smaller lentils and a more pronounced earthy flavor than ordinary green lentils. If Puy lentils are unavailable, ordinary green lentils can be used instead.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do Puy lentils hold their shape?
Their skins are firm and they release less starch than other lentils, which helps them hold their shape during cooking.
Should Puy lentils be soaked?
Lentils are generally cooked without soaking; Puy lentils also cook quickly, in about 20–25 minutes, and do not need to be soaked first.
Are Puy lentils good for salads?
Yes. Because they hold their shape when cooked, they are among the lentil varieties most often used in cold salads and side dishes.