Who are these formats for?

Weekend cooks

You’re planning a savoury breakfast or brunch in advance and can make time to cook dried lentils, split peas or chickpeas.

Families in a hurry in the morning

You want to put the meal together without having to soak anything, so you’re looking at ready-cooked pulses in jars, tins or quick-cook pouches.

People who prefer breakfast cereal

You’re looking for a product containing pulses rather than a savoury dish, and you check the label for cereals, nuts and any warnings about possible traces.

What should you look for?

First decide whether you can cook the day before or need the meal to be ready quickly. Then compare the formats and, for mixed products, check the label of the exact item you’re considering.

What to consider What to check Who is it for?
Quantity and format The net weight and type of pulse; dried pulses in a bag or a prepared product. If I’m cooking for several people, I want to choose the right amount without mistaking a bag of dried pulses for a ready-made dish. Around 42% of consumers prioritise format when making their choice.
Preparation time Any soaking and cooking instructions for dried pulses, or how to prepare a ready-cooked product. If I’m preparing breakfast on the morning itself, I’d rather not have to soak anything the night before. Speed is the top priority for around 33% of consumers.
Suitability for breakfast The type of product, its ingredients and any allergens or possible traces listed on the label. If I choose pulse muesli, I want to know what’s in it before serving it. For around 25% of consumers, how well the product suits the meal and their diet matters more than any other factor.

Things to bear in mind

  • Planning to cook dried chickpeas on the morning itself

    E.Leclerc’s chickpea guide recommends soaking them overnight, then cooking them. You’ll need to start preparing them before the day of your meal.

    If you can’t plan ahead, consider red lentils or ready-cooked pulses instead, and check the instructions for the product you choose.

  • Assuming “organic” or “plant-based” means “allergen-free”

    A mixed product may contain several ingredients you need to check. Bjorg’s Muesli Protéines Légumineuses, for example, contains cereals and nuts.

    Read the ingredients list and check the allergen and possible-trace information for the exact product, even if its name suggests it’s made with pulses.

  • Choosing frozen pulses without checking what’s available

    Manger Bouger lists frozen pulses among the formats that can be used in quick recipes. This doesn’t tell you which product your local shop will stock.

    Check the frozen aisle at your chosen shop, then look at the variety, ingredients and preparation instructions for the product.

Retailers and brands to know

Carrefour

Carrefour offers dried pulses in bags, including Carrefour Classic’ and Carrefour Bio products, as well as prepared dishes.

  • Bagged pulses let you choose the variety and net weight before planning how to cook them.
  • For a prepared dish, check the ingredients and allergens for the product you choose.

E.Leclerc

E.Leclerc offers dried pulses loose, as well as chickpeas to cook at home.

  • Its chickpea guide includes soaking and cooking instructions that can help you plan a brunch.
  • Choose a shop to see which products are available locally.

Auchan

Auchan offers lentils and other pulses in dried bags, as well as tinned options and quick-cook pouches.

  • These formats let you choose between cooking pulses in advance and putting a meal together more quickly.
  • For a ready-to-eat recipe, check the ingredients and the number of portions shown on the product.

Lidl

Lidl offers several varieties of organic pulses under the Goldensun brand, including lentils, split peas and chickpeas.

  • The variety listed makes it easier to find a pulse that suits your recipe.
  • Check which product your local shop has before planning your meal around it.

Aldi

ALDI France has offered Fleurs des Champs pulses in a 1 kg pack.

  • A larger pack may suit you if you’re planning several dishes.
  • Don’t assume a product featured as part of a limited-time promotion will be available at your local shop.

Bjorg

Bjorg’s Muesli Protéines Légumineuses is a mixed breakfast product, not a bag of dried pulses to cook.

  • According to Bjorg’s product information, it combines sprouted red lentils and chickpea flakes.
  • The product information lists oats, wheat/spelt, hazelnuts and almonds, and warns of possible traces of other allergens. Check the label.

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Frequently asked questions

Which pulse should I choose if I’m cooking on the morning itself?

Red lentils are one option when time is short: Manger Bouger says they take 10 minutes to cook. If you’d rather not cook dried pulses from scratch, look for jars, tins or ready-cooked pouches, and check the ingredients.

How long should I allow for dried chickpeas?

E.Leclerc recommends soaking them overnight, then cooking them for 1 h 30 in a saucepan or 40 minutes in a pressure cooker. So, if you’re making breakfast on the morning itself, you’ll need to start preparing them the day before.

Is pulse muesli suitable if I need to avoid certain allergens?

It depends on the product and which ingredients you need to avoid. Bjorg’s Muesli Protéines Légumineuses contains oats, wheat/spelt, hazelnuts and almonds, among other ingredients. Its product information also warns of possible traces of milk, other nuts, sesame and soya. Check the product label before choosing it.