Bobsy Blog 2021 No. 26

Well, well, well what can I say, it’s World Pulses Day, so Hip Hip Hooray!!
Celebrate with a gusto, celebrate with passion, celebrate them pulses Today!!

I love rhyming and poetry, maybe one day I will share some of my poems in my MANA! Blogs. But jests aside, Pulses are one of the most important foods available to us. They have many health, ecological, environmental, and humanitarian benefits.

On that important note, all I can say to you now is HUMMUS!! HUMMUS! HUMMUS! Yes, Hummus. Can you live without it? Hmmm, maybe, maybe not, depending on your worldview on such profound matters in life. Either way, there is no Hummus for you without pulses, and specifically the humble Chickpea.

Now that I have got your full respect for Pulses, and have your ears, and your tummy rumbling thinking of your next hit of MANA! Hummus, drizzled with extra virgin olive oil and a sprinkling of Sumac, to be scooped up with our freshly baked Flatbread, I will now proceed.

Pulses, also known as legumes, are the edible seeds of leguminous plants cultivated for food. Dried beans, lentils, and peas are the most commonly known and consumed types of pulses. The humble Pulse is one of the most sustainable foods, with one of the lowest eco-footprints.

It adds Nitrogen to the soil with its nitrogen-fixing properties, improves soil fertility which in turn increases and extends the productivity of the farmland. By planting pulses farmers are using them for intercropping and cover crops which promotes the farm and soil biodiversity, which keeps harmful pests and disease at bay. Pulses can contribute to climate mitigation by reducing dependence on synthetic fertilisers traditionally used to introduce nitrogen to the soil. They have a very low water-footprint and a broad genetic diversity allowing a more climate-resilient variety. As such they will play an important role in our future sustainable food systems.

Pulses are packed with nutrients and have a high protein content, making them an ideal source of protein. Pulses are low in fat and rich in soluble fibre, which can lower cholesterol and help in the control of blood sugar. Because of these qualities, they are recommended by health organisations for the management of non-communicable diseases like diabetes and heart conditions. Pulses have also been shown to help combat obesity.

February the 10th is designated by the United Nations General Assembly as World Pulses Day to educate humanity about the importance of this nutritious and ancient food crop.

So next time you reach for that tub of Hummus take a little moment to say thank you, thank you not only to the humble Chickpea but also to the hard-working farmers, producers, cooks, and above all to Mother Earth without whom there would be no HUMMUS!

Earth who gives to us this food, Sun who makes it ripe and good…
“Dear Earth, dear Sun, by you we live, our loving thanks to you we give.”
- MANA! Mantra No. 8

Until soon
Bobsy Gaia
Founder of MANA!