Beans vs Lentils: Difference and Comparison

Legumes are a part of the family  Fabaceae (or Leguminosae). They may either be seeds or fruit of the plant.

The seeds are known as pulses. Beans and lentils both come under pulses.

Key Takeaways

1. Beans are a type of legume that can be consumed fresh or dried, while lentils are a type of legume that is always consumed dried.
2. Beans are larger and take longer to cook than lentils, while lentils have a mild, earthy flavor compared to beans.
3. Beans are a good source of protein and fiber, while lentils are a good source of iron and folate.

Beans vs Lentils

Beans are seeds in different sizes and colors and a source of proteins and fibers mostly cooked with rice gravy and salads. Such as red beans, white beans, and chickpeas. Lentils are small legumes in lens shape with a great quantity of proteins and fibers mostly green and yellow in color with a distinct texture, made with different cuisines.

Beans and lentils are among the best options for a balanced diet. They give us protein, carbohydrates and fibre in high content.

They also contain iron, magnesium, phosphorus, zinc and other vitamins and minerals.

Beans and lentils also help alleviate constipation and reduce blood cholesterol levels, which helps prevent heart diseases. Beans and lentils can be differentiated by their size and shape.

Comparison Table

Parameters of Comparison	Beans	Lentils
Shape and Size	Beans are kidney-shaped or oval and comparatively bigger.	Lentils are lens-shaped and small.
Types	There are various varieties of beans having different shapes and sizes.	There are several types of lentils. Red, brown and green are the most popular variety.
Fibre Content	Contains less fibre.	Contains more fibre.
Carbohydrates	Contains more carbohydrates.	Contains fewer carbohydrates.
Other nutritional values	All beans except soybean contain less fat. They all have more protein and omega 3,6 fatty acid content.	Lentils contain less fat, more protein and no cholesterol.
Cooking Time	Beans must be soaked overnight before cooking and take a long time.	Lentils do not have to be pre-soaked and take much less cooking time.

What are Beans?

Beans are legumes that are used as food. They grow in pods.

They are grown in warm regions as the crop requires a slightly higher temperature to thrive. The crops do not require extra fertilizers as their roots form a symbiotic relationship with nitrogen-fixing bacteria that provide nutrition. 

Around 40,000 varieties of beans worldwide, but only a few are mass-produced for consumption. Chickpeas, soybean, kidney bean and peanuts are examples of beans. Myanmar is the largest producer of beans in the world, followed by India.

Beans are also very cheap and easily available in the market. Various methods can cook them, and they are a part of several cuisines worldwide.

Consumption of beans helps with weight loss, controlling diabetes and improving heart health. While beans contain protein, folate and iron, they also contain more carbohydrates than lentils.

Beans also have lower fat and sodium content.

What are Lentils?

Lentils are also a type of edible legume. They are small and lens-shaped.

The crops are about 40 cm tall, and the seeds grow in pods. Each pod contains two seeds. 

Lentils come in various forms; they can be split, whole, shelled, or unshelled. They exhibit a range of colours like green, purple, tan, grey, brown and black.

The largest producer of lentils globally is Canada, followed by India. In India, Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh produce the largest lentils.

Lentils are a staple food in India and are known as dal.

Dal is split and unshelled lentils that are prepared as soupy gravies. It is one of the oldest dishes in the country, and every region makes it differently.

The crop is planted in winter and spring, but the crops bloom in spring or summer. The soil remains healthy and fertile if lentils are alternated in a field while growing crops.

Main Differences Between Beans and Lentils

1. While beans can be kidney or oval-shaped and bigger, lentils are lens-shaped and smaller.
2. Beans contain less fibre than lentils.
3. There are more carbohydrates in beans than in lentils.
4. Beans contain more fats than lentils and are rich in proteins and omega 3,6 fatty acids. Lentils have more protein content and contain no cholesterol.
5. Beans take a long time to cook and must be soaked before cooking, while lentils take less time.

References

1. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0308814607011144
2. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/j.1470-6431.1991.tb00675.x 
3. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S096399691400698X