Are Old Lentils and Split Peas Safe to Eat?
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Q: I made a soup last week with lentils and split peas, but I don’t know how old the split peas were. They smelled musty, but I only realized it was the legumes after I had started cooking the soup. Were my lentils or peas bad? Will I get sick if I eat the soup?
Sent by Charlotte
Editor: No, I don’t think you need to worry about getting sick from old lentils or other legumes, though I would recommend rinsing them thoroughly before cooking to wash away any dust. At worse, the legumes won’t taste as great or cook as evenly. I often find that old lentils get mushy as they cook rather than keeping their shape.
Readers, what other advice or experience do you have to share?
Related: How to Cook Lentils on the Stovetop
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