View source for Black-eyed pea

{{Unreferenced|date=January 2009}}
{{Otheruses}} 

{{Taxobox
| name = Black-eyed pea
| image = BlackeyeBean.jpg
| image_width = 250px
| regnum = [[Plant]]ae
| divisio = [[growing plant|Magnoliophyta]]
| classis = [[dicotyledon|Magnoliopsida]]
| ordo = [[Fabales]]
| familia = [[Fabaceae]]
| genus = ''[[Vigna]]''
| species = ''[[Vigna unguiculata|V. unguiculata]]''
| subspecies = '''''V. u. unguiculata'''''
| trinomial = ''Vigna unguiculata unguiculata''
| trinomial_authority = | date = ([[Carolus Linnaeus|L.]]) Walp.
}}
[[Image:Lobia.jpg|thumb|Cowpea beans|244px|right|Black-eyed pea beans]]
The '''black-eyed pea''', also called '''black-eyed bean''', is a subspecies of the [[cowpea]], grown around the world for its medium-sized edible [[bean]]. The bean mutates easily, giving rise to a number of varieties. The common commercial one is called the California Blackeye; it is pale-colored with a prominent black spot.  The currently accepted botanical name is ''Vigna unguiculata'' subsp. ''unguiculata'', although previously it was classified in the [[genus]] ''[[Phaseolus]]''.  ''Vigna unguiculata'' subsp. ''dekindtiana'' is the wild relative and  ''Vigna unguiculata'' subsp. ''sesquipedalis'' is the related asparagus bean. Other beans of somewhat similar appearance, such as the "frijol ojo de cabra" ("goat's eye bean") of [[Northern Mexico]], are sometimes incorrectly called "black-eyed peas" and vice versa.

== History ==
Originally native to Africa, but widely grown in many countries in [[Asia]], the black-eyed pea was introduced into the [[West Indies]] and from there to the [[Southern United States]] as early as the 1600s in Virginia. Most of the black-eye pea cultivation in the region, however, took firmer hold in Florida and the Carolinas during the 1700s, reaching Virginia in full force following the American Revolution. <ref>[http://www.slaveryinamerica.org/history/hs_es_cuisine.htm "African Crops and Slave Cuisine," Joseph E. Holloway, California State University Northridge]</ref> The crop would also eventually prove popular in Texas. Throughout the South, the black-eyed pea is still a widely used ingredient in [[soul food]] and various types of [[Southern U.S. cuisine]]. The planting of crops of black-eyed peas was promoted by [[George Washington Carver]] because, as a [[legume]], it adds [[nitrogen]] to the [[soil]] and has high [[nutrition]]al value. Black-eyed peas are an excellent source of [[calcium]] (211&nbsp;mg in a 1 [[Cup (unit)|cup]] serving), [[folate]] (209mcg), and [[vitamin A]] (1,305 IU) among other nutrients.<ref>[http://www.evitamins.com/healthnotes.asp?ContentID=1671000 Black-Eyed Peas]</ref>

== Culture ==
The heat-loving crop is seeded after the danger of frost is past and the soil is warm. [[Sandy loam]] is preferred, but at least the soil should be well-drained, as the plants cannot stand excessive water. They are a [[drought]]-tolerant crop.

The crop is relatively free of [[pest (animal)|pest]]s and disease. [[Root-knot nematode]]s can be a problem, especially if crops are not rotated. As a [[nitrogen fixation|nitrogen fixing]] legume, fertilization can exclude nitrogen three weeks after germination.

The blossom produces [[nectar]] plentifully and larger areas can be a source of [[honey]]. Because the bloom attracts a variety of [[pollinator]]s, care must be taken in the application of [[insecticide]]s to avoid [[pesticide misuse|label violations]].

== Traditional use==
===In the American South===
[[Image:peteandpeas.jpg|thumb|right|220px|New Year's Day in Alabama: black-eyed peas, ham hock, and pepper sauce]]
Eating black-eyed peas on [[New Year's Day]] is thought to bring prosperity in the [[Southern United States]].<ref>"On New Year's Day, it gets the full Southern treatment, which usually means Hoppin' John – a traditional Soul Food fixin' consisting of black-eyed peas cooked with ham hocks and spices, served over rice. In the South, eating black-eyed peas on New Year's is thought to bring prosperity" ''Celebrate New Year's with black-eyed peas'' by Rachel Ellner December 31, 2008 Nashua Telegraph http://www.nashuatelegraph.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20081231/FOOD/312319991/-1/food</ref> The peas are typically cooked with a pork product for flavoring (such as [[bacon]], ham bones, [[fatback]], or hog jowl), diced onion, and served with a hot [[chili sauce]] or a pepper-flavored [[vinegar]].

The traditional meal also features [[Collard greens|collard]], [[turnip]], or [[Mustard plant|mustard]] [[greens (vegetable)|greens]], and ham. The peas, since they swell when cooked, symbolize prosperity; the greens symbolize money; the pork, because pigs root forward when foraging, represents positive motion.<ref>{{cite journal
  | last = Greene
  | first = Teri
  | authorlink = 
  | coauthors = 
  | title = A Tasty Tradition: New Year's meal means good luck, good eats
  | journal = Montgomery Advertiser
  | volume = 
  | issue = 
  | pages = 2, 3A
  | publisher = 
  | location = [[Montgomery, Alabama]]
  | date = 2009-01-02
  | url = http://www.montgomeryadvertiser.com/article/20090102/NEWS01/901020311
  | doi = 
  | id = 
  | accessdate = 2009-01-02}}</ref> [[Cornbread]] also often accompanies this meal.

These "good luck" traditions supposedly date back to the [[American Civil War]]. [[Union (American Civil War)|Union]] troops, especially in areas targeted by General [[William Tecumseh Sherman]], typically stripped the countryside of all stored food, crops, and livestock, and destroy whatever they couldn't carry away. At that time, Northerners considered "field peas" and [[field corn]] suitable only for animal fodder, and didn't steal or destroy these humble foods.<ref>{{cite web
| url = http://www.seguingazette.com/story.lasso?ewcd=50a6990df9b8c858
| title = Black-eyed Pea Tradition Dates Back to 1800s
| accessdate = 2007-07-13
| author = Melissa Johnson
| publisher = The Seguin Gazette-Enterprise
}}</ref>

===Worldwide===
The "good luck" traditions of eating black-eyed peas on New Year's Day are recorded in the Babylonian [[Talmud]] (compiled ~500 CE), Horayot 12A: "[[Abaye]] [d. 339 CE] said, now that you have established that good-luck symbols avail, you should make it a habit to see Qara ([[bottle gourd]]), Rubiya (black-eyed peas, Arabic Lubiya), Kartei ([[leeks]]), Silka (either [[beets]] or [[spinach]]), and Tamrei ([[Phoenix dactylifera|dates]]) on your table on the New Year." A parallel text in Kritot 5B states that one should eat these symbols of good luck. The accepted custom (Shulhan Aruh Orah Hayim 583:1, 16th century, the standard code of Jewish law and practice) is to eat the symbols. This custom is followed by Sephardi and Israeli Jews to this day. In the United States, the first [[Sephardi Jews]] arrived in [[Georgia (U.S. state)|Georgia]] in the 1730s and have lived there continuously since. The Jewish practice was apparently adopted by non-Jews around the time of the Civil War.

==Culinary uses worldwide==
[[Image:Vietblackeyedpeas.jpg|thumb|right|150px|Several cups of ''chè đậu trắng'', a Vietnamese dessert made with black-eyed peas]]
[[Rice and peas]] is a popular dish in [[Jamaican cuisine|Jamaica]] and other Caribbean Islands. In the American South, a variation of this dish is called "[[Hoppin' John]]," made of black-eyed peas cooked with [[rice]] and [[pork]].

Texas Caviar, another traditional dish in the American South, is made from black eyed peas marinated in Italian salad dressing and chopped garlic, and served cold.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/fea/taste/texascollection/stories/DN-nf_texascaviar_0321liv.State.Edition1.447ccf1.html | title=Try Some Texas Caviar | author = Joyce Sáenz Harris | publisher=The Dallas Morning News | accessdate=2008-10-19}}</ref>

In [[Portugal]], black-eyed peas are served with boiled [[cod]] and [[potato]]es, with [[tuna]], and in salads.

In [[Vietnamese cuisine|Vietnam]], black-eyed peas are used in a sweet dessert called ''chè đậu trắng'' (black-eyed peas and [[Glutinous rice|sticky rice]] with [[coconut milk]]).

In [[Greece]] and [[Cyprus]], black-eyed peas are eaten with vegetables, oil, salt, and [[lemon]].<ref>[http://thursdayfordinner.com/2008/12/swiss-chard-and-black-eyed-beans Swiss Chard and Black Eyed Beans]</ref>

In the northern part of [[Colombia]], they are used to prepare a fritter called "buñuelo." The beans are immersed in water for a few hours to loosen their skin and soften the bean. The skins are then removed either by hand or with the help of a manual grinder. Once the skins are removed, the bean is ground or blended and eggs are added which produces a soft mix. The mix is fried in hot oil. It makes a nutritious breakfast meal.

In North [[India]], [[Lobia]] is cooked as [[daal]].

==Cultural references==
{{In popular culture|date=January 2009}}
* The Southern band [[R.E.M. (band)|R.E.M.]]'s song "[[The Sidewinder Sleeps Tonite]]" includes the phrase "a can of beans or black eyed peas, some [[Nescafé]] and ice."

* In the song "Cornbread" by the Freestyle Fellowship, rapper [[Aceyalone]] includes the phrase "black eyed peas with a lot of [[Tabasco]]" into a list of things he likes.

* In the song "[[Goodbye Earl]]" by The [[Dixie Chicks]], poisoned black-eyed peas are fed to an abusive husband by his wife and her best friend.

* The vegetables are also mentioned in [[Bobbie Gentry]]'s 1967 ballad "[[Ode to Billie Joe]]": ''Papa said to Mama as he passed around the black-eyed peas, <nowiki>"</nowiki>''Well, Billy Joe never had a lick of sense; pass the biscuits please.''<nowiki>"</nowiki>'' 

* [[The Black Eyed Peas]] are a three-time Grammy Award-winning American hip-hop group from Los Angeles.

*  They say in the song Soulville (sung by many soul and motown artists, including [[Aretha Franklin]]) the outro lyrics include the line "''I'm talking 'bout the black-eyed peas, down in soulville''."

==Gallery==
<gallery>
Image:Black-eyed-pea.jpg|Black-eyed peas
Image:Black-eyed-pea-close.jpg|Close-up of the black eye
</gallery>

==References==

{{reflist}}

==External links==
{{commonscat|Vigna unguiculata}}
* [http://www.itis.usda.gov/servlet/SingleRpt/SingleRpt?search_topic=TSN&search_value=27018 ITIS 27018]
* [http://www.ars-grin.gov2/cgi-bin/npgs/html/taxon.pl?300675] USDA, ARS, National Genetic Resources Program.  [[Germplasm Resources Information Network]] - (GRIN)  Online Database . National Germplasm Resources Laboratory, Beltsville, Maryland. (16 July 2005)
* [http://www.plantnames.unimelb.edu.au/Sorting/Vigna.html#unguiculata-unguiculata] Porcher Michel H. et al. 1995 - 2020, Sorting Vigna Names. Multilingual Multiscript Plant Name Database (M.M.P.N.D) - A Work in Progress. School of Agriculture and Food Systems. Faculty of Land & Food Resources.  The University of Melbourne. Australia.   (2005).
* [http://www.hort.purdue.edu/newcrop/afcm/cowpea.html Alternative Field Crops Manual: Cowpea]
* [http://www.cai-sa.pt/feijaofrade.en.html Portuguese Manufacter of canned beans: quatro folhas]

[[Category:Vigna]]
[[Category:Edible legumes]]
[[Category:Underutilized crops]]
[[Category:Soul food]]
[[Category:Vietnamese ingredients]]

[[ar:لوبيا]]
[[de:Augenbohne]]
[[dv:ލޫބިޔާ]]
[[fr:Cornille]]
[[pt:Feijão fradinho]]
[[tr:Börülce]]
the band black eyed peas including fergie.:)