When shopping for the week, first check the organic certification on the label. Choose dried pulses to cook if you can plan ahead, or ready-cooked pulses for meals you need to put together at short notice. Pulse muesli is a separate option for breakfast: check its ingredients and allergens rather than treating it like a plain bag of lentils.
If the organic label influences your choice, check the logos and certification information on the packaging. Agence Bio identifies the Euro-leaf as a marker for products that comply with European organic production rules.
If you cook several meals in advance, choose pulses with soaking time, cooking time and planned portions in mind. Lentils, beans and chickpeas are among the pulses listed by Manger Bouger.
If you want pulses in a breakfast product, remember that muesli is different from plain pulses. Bjorg muesli, which combines sprouted red lentils and chickpea flakes, is one example. Check the ingredients and allergens on the packaging.
When shopping for the week, start with the organic label, then choose a format to suit the time you can spend preparing meals. A breakfast blend should be judged by its recipe, not as another type of plain pulse.
| Criterion | What to check | Who is it for? |
|---|---|---|
| Organic certification | Check the logos and certification information for the product you’ve chosen. If origin matters too, look for that information separately. | I want to be able to check the organic label on the pack without confusing it with the origin of the ingredients. Around 40% of shoppers would make this their priority. |
| Meal preparation | Check the soaking and cooking instructions for your chosen pulse, then work out how much you’ll need for your meals. | When cooking several meals in advance, I can set aside time to prepare them, but I need to factor it into my schedule. Around 30% of shoppers would make this their priority. |
| Quick meals | Tell ready-cooked pulses apart from mixed products, and check the ingredients and number of portions. | On busy days, I’d rather be able to make a meal without having to plan for soaking. Around 20% of shoppers would put this first. |
| Breakfast blends | Check how prominently pulses feature in the recipe, as well as the cereals, sugars and allergens listed. | I’m looking for a breakfast product that includes pulses, while recognising that muesli won’t replace the ingredients I need for savoury dishes. Around 10% of shoppers would make this their priority. |
Organic certification relates to how a product is made; on its own, it doesn’t tell you whether the raw ingredients come from France.
If French origin matters to you, check the origin information as well as the certification details.
Soaking can affect how you organise your meals. Carrefour’s product instructions specify 8 hours for lingot beans and flageolet beans, and 12 hours for the chickpeas listed.
Check the instructions on the pack you buy. For meals you need to make at short notice, you could also consider ready-cooked pulses.
Muesli made with lentils or chickpeas contains other ingredients and serves a different purpose from a bag of pulses for cooking during the week.
Check the ingredients and allergens if you’re choosing it for breakfast. For savoury recipes, choose suitable pulses separately.
A retailer’s product range doesn’t guarantee that the item you want will be stocked at your chosen store or available through your preferred collection option.
Before you complete your shop, check the exact product, pack size and local availability.
A range to explore when planning meals with organic pulses.
An option for shoppers looking for organic dried chickpeas.
A range to consider if you’re planning to cook dried lentils.
A range of organic pulses to compare, depending on the variety you need for your meals.
An organic food range to explore if you shop at ALDI.
A brand to consider for a breakfast blend that includes pulses.
Check the logos and certification information on the packaging of the product you’ve chosen. Agence Bio identifies the Euro-leaf as a marker for products that comply with European organic production rules. Check the origin information separately.
No. Follow the instructions for the pulse and pack you’ve bought. For example, Carrefour’s preparation guidance specifies 8 hours’ soaking for lingot beans and flageolet beans, and 12 hours for the chickpeas listed. The instructions cited for lentils don’t mention soaking.
No, these products serve different purposes. Bjorg’s muesli made with sprouted red lentils and chickpea flakes is a breakfast blend. Check all its ingredients and allergens before choosing it.
Yes. Manger Bouger says pulses can regularly replace meat in a meal, and recommends pairing them with a cereal product. When shopping, choose the variety and format to suit the dish you’re planning to make.