Snow Peas vs. Snap Peas: What Are Snow Peas and Snap Peas?

Snow peas (Pisum sativum var. Saccharatum) are members of the legume family. Snow peas originated in Southwest Asia and are sometimes called Chinese pea pods. As their name implies, snow peas can survive frost and snow. Snow peas are typically available year-round, but their peak season is spring through early winter.

Snow peas contain an edible pod, but they are also shelling peas, which means you may or may not choose to consume the whole pods. Shelling snap pea pods is one way to prepare the legume and enjoy the sweet, crispy peas within the pod.

Snap peas (Pisum sativum var. Macrocarpon), also called sugar snap peas, are members of the legume family. Snap peas are a hybrid of snow peas and garden peas (also called English peas). Calvin Lamborn of Twin Falls, Idaho, bred this hybrid pea in the 1970s; Lamborn was dubbed the “father of the sugar snap pea.” Like snow peas, sugar snap pea plants are climbing plants. Their peak season is from late winter through late spring.

Sugar snap pea pods are edible and a source of many vital nutrients, including vitamin C. Snap peas are typically widely available at the grocery store or farmer’s market.

Both pea varieties have been nicknamed “mangetout,” a French word translated as “eat everything.” This nickname stems from the fact that you can eat the whole pod and the peas inside. However, snow peas and sugar snap peas differ in a few key ways.

• Appearance: Snow peas are flatter than snap peas which have more rounded pods. Snow peas also contain very few green peas within their pods compared to the more plentiful snap peas.
• Pea size: The peas in sugar snap pea pods are considerably larger than the small peas in snow pea pods. Sugar snap peas are fleshier than snow peas.
  
• Flavor: Sugar snap peas are sweet peas while snow peas have a slightly less sweet flavor.
• Texture: Both snap peas and snow peas contain a tough string on their pod edges. Remove the string before consuming whole peas.
• Cooking time: Both snow peas and snap peas are popular additions in stir-fry dishes. They may be sauteed in olive oil as a side dish to accompany meat or seafood or used as an alternative ingredient to green beans. However, snow peas are flatter than snap peas and as a result cook more quickly. Keep this in mind when swapping out different types of peas in recipes.

Consider a few easy recipes that pair well with either snow peas or sugar snap peas.

1. 1. Sesame peas: This Asian-inspired dish is prepared in a wok with lemon juice, sesame oil, and sesame seeds.
2. 2. Ginger peas: Ginger peas are made with soy sauce and garlic sauce and infused with spices.
3. 3. Shrimp and peas: Make this easy stir-fry dish with your favorite herbs and spices such as cayenne pepper, garlic, or cumin.
4. 4. Lemony herb peas: Prepare this dish with fresh basil and lemon zest for a sweet, refreshing taste.
5. 5. Blackened peas: Toss snow peas or snap peas with olive oil, red pepper flakes, lemon juice, and garlic before stir-frying them on high heat until they’re slightly charred.

Sugar snap peas and snow peas both contain high levels of important nutrients such as vitamin A, vitamin C, folate, vitamin K, and potassium. Snow peas and snap peas are not as starchy as other pea varieties, making them a lower-carb substitute for other legumes, as well as carbs like bread and pasta.

Become a better chef with the MasterClass Annual Membership. Gain access to exclusive video lessons taught by the world’s best, including Gordon Ramsay, Gabriela Cámara, Chef Thomas Keller, Dominique Ansel, Yotam Ottolenghi, Alice Waters, and more.