If you’re serving peas to several people at the same meal, compare large tins by their drained weight. If you’re not sure how many people will be eating, or you’re planning several meals, a multipack of small tins lets you open only what you need. If your recipe calls for peas only, check that the product contains nothing else, then read the ingredients and storage instructions for once opened.
If peas are just one of several side dishes at your Easter lunch, work out how much you’ll serve before choosing a large tin. Tins weighing 530 to 560 g and multipacks of large tins are worth comparing if several people will be having peas.
A multipack of small tins means you can keep unopened tins for other meals. E.Leclerc lists a NOTRE JARDIN multipack of 3 × 140 g tins, while Carrefour also offers a Carrefour Classic’ pack of 3 × 140 g drained weight.
If salt, sugar or flavourings matter to you, check the specific product rather than relying on the brand or tin size alone. Ingredient lists published by E.Leclerc and Bonduelle show that these recipes may contain more than just peas and water.
First, work out how much you need to open for lunch. Then choose between individual tins and a large tin, and check the ingredients in the product you’ve selected.
| Factor | What to check | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Quantity and leftovers | Compare the drained weight of each tin and the number of tins in the pack. | If I’m making a side dish for several people, I want to serve the amount I’ve planned without opening too many tins. Around 40% of consumers would put getting the quantity right at the top of their list. |
| Serving and storage | Check the size of each tin and the preparation instructions on the packaging. | If I’m dividing the peas between several meals, I’d rather open a small tin for each meal and keep the others sealed. This flexibility would be the top priority for around 30% of consumers. |
| Ingredients | Read the ingredients list and nutritional information for the specific product. | When choosing a side dish, whether it contains sugar, salt or flavourings matters more to me than the pack size. Around 30% of consumers would make ingredients their main consideration. |
A tin also contains liquid, so its total weight isn’t the same as the amount of peas you’ll serve once drained. Products listed by E.Leclerc and Bonduelle include small tins with a drained weight of 140 g and a large tin with a drained weight of 560 g.
When planning your side dish, compare the drained weight of each tin, then check the total for the whole pack.
E.Leclerc’s listing for the NOTRE JARDIN multipack includes sugar, salt and a natural flavouring. A Bonduelle peas product also lists sugar and salt. Neither the size nor the brand tells you what’s in a different product.
Check the ingredients list and nutritional information on the tin you’re thinking of buying.
A large tin works well when you’re serving several people, but gives you less flexibility if only a few people want peas. Storage instructions after opening vary by product.
If you’re not sure how much you’ll need, consider buying several small tins. Otherwise, plan to use up any leftovers and follow the instructions on the packaging.
France’s Directorate General for Competition Policy, Consumer Affairs and Fraud Control distinguishes a best-before date from a use-by date. Going past the best-before date doesn’t automatically make a product unsafe to eat, provided, in particular, that the packaging is intact.
Check the condition of the tin before use and don’t eat the contents if it’s damaged.
These brands offer sizes worth comparing for this meal. The right choice depends on the product and how much you need.
Bonduelle offers peas in a large tin with a drained weight of 560 g. Auchan also lists multipacks of large tins from the brand.
Carrefour offers extra-fine Classic’ peas in a pack of 3 tins, each with a drained weight of 140 g, as well as other sizes.
E.Leclerc lists NOTRE JARDIN extra-fine peas in a pack of 3 × 140 g tins, so you can open them one at a time.
Auchan’s range includes its own-brand peas, as well as tins and multipacks from national brands.
No. Going past the best-before date doesn’t, on its own, make tinned peas unsafe to eat. France’s Directorate General for Competition Policy, Consumer Affairs and Fraud Control explains that a product may still be safe to eat if its packaging is intact, although its quality may have deteriorated. Don’t use a damaged tin.
Follow the instructions on the product you’ve bought. For one Bonduelle peas product, the brand advises storing it at a maximum of 4 °C and eating it within 48 hours of opening. These instructions don’t apply to all tinned peas.
Not always. E.Leclerc’s listing for the NOTRE JARDIN multipack also includes sugar, salt and a natural flavouring. Check the ingredients list and nutritional information on the tin you choose rather than assuming what’s in it based on its size.