Canned Green Peas

Canned Green Peas: From Field to Plate

The classic image of peas in a pod alludes to the fact that green peas are a favorite vegetable for most for people. Green peas are a nutritious, low-calorie addition to a variety of meals and side dishes, both fresh and canned. But have you ever thought about how canned green peas make it to your dinner plate?

Canned green peas are produced in a process that begins in divided by two clear parts. The first part involves getting the peas to a cannery. The second part deals with the production of the cans and the contents. Each part of the process involves numerous steps to ensure quality, safety, and freshness.

Let’s take a look at how the process works, starting with harvest.

From Farm to Cannery

Green peas are usually harvested by a machine that swiftly harvests the pods off the vines. It is crucial to harvest the peas when they are unripe and still immature, as this yields a better flavor and texture in the end product. Unripe peas are also firmer and therefore able to withstand the mechanical processes later in the process.

The harvester then collects the peas from the field, which is usually an enclosed area with a large fan that filters out any debris or dirt to yield a clean product. The green peas are then put through a sorting procedure to remove any stones and other debris. This step is often done by hand to ensure quality.

After sorting the clean peas are sent to a receiving station for further processing. Here the peas are again inspected for quality and any additional sorting may be performed. It is during this step that any additives and flavorings are added to the peas. Then the little green globes are cleaned one final time and ready to go to the cannery.

Canning the Peas

The next step in the green pea canning process is itself two-part process that involves the creation of the cans and the packaging of the peas in that can.

The process begins with metal cans, usually made of aluminum or steel, being slid into a metal machine called a “canning machine.” This machine is designed to cut the metal into shapes of precise measurements and craft the cans into their recognizable cylindrical shape. The cans are then released from the canning machine, inspected for quality, and sent for printing.

The cans are then printed with the relevant information, from the manufacturer and type of product to nutrition information.The cans are then sent to a line where the top part of the cans is sealed.This process is done by heating the can in a vacuum chamber, which seals the top onto the can. This ensures that the contents of the can are safe for the life of the shelf.

After the cans are sealed, they are filled with the product. In this case, dried, prepared, and seasoned green peas. The whole process is done in a strictly cleaned and controlled environment, in order to meet food-safety requirements.

After being filled, the cans are sealed with a lid that is also heated in a vacuum machine and attached to the can body. Then the whole package is pasteurized in a hot water bath. This bath ensures that any trace of microbes and bacteria are destroyed, and is necessary for the canned product's shelf life.

After the pasteurization step, the cans are cooled, inspected once more, and then labeled and packed into containers, usually cardboard cartons. The containers are then sent to the shelves or freezers of stores and supermarkets, or to processing plants for further use.

From Can to Plate

No matter the form that canned green peas are finally delivered in (frozen or otherwise), once they arrive, the preparation of canned green peas for consumption is fairly straightforward.

The process of getting green peas from can to plate does not involve much beyond what the average kitchen can manage. This can involve simply boiling a can of peas in a pot of water, or stirring-frying a few cans of peas together with some aromatics and spices. The options are really up to the cook, but a simple and conventional preparation of canned peas involves heating butter in a large skillet, adding the peas, and mixing them until just heated through and served with a sprinkle of salt and pepper.

In conclusion

The journey of canned green peas to the plate is a complex and intriguing one. It is an example of how a humble vegetable can travel great distances and yet still retain its flavor and goodness. This primitive legume has been a staple of many diets across the world, and the hearty and nutritious canned green peas are a testament to this.