Where do red lentils come from?

[oceanauk]

Probably a stupid question but I honestly don't know! Where do red lentils come from (country and how they grow) and what benefits are there from eating them? Many thanks!!

[Clanad]

Although lentils and their cousins chickpeas (all legumes) originated in the Middle East and Asia millenia ago, they can be grown almost any place.  Here in the U.S., lentils, including the red variety are grown in the northwest, Oregon and Washington primarily...

[ursula62]

Red lentils are brown lentils with the skins removed.

[Clanad]

In the interest of accuracy, I'd disagree with Ursula...the most common type of red lentil is the Red Chief.  It's salmon pink in its dried form, but it turns golden when cooked.  These lentils cook faster than others. They are usually always processed with the outer hull removed and cook faster and work better in puree's and soups. Brown lentils, on the other hand are the standard khaki-colored lentils you see on grocery shelves everywhere. They are processed and sold with the outer hulls remaining.  They tend to get mushy if overcooked.  If you want them to be firm, add oil to the cooking water and cook the lentils just a short while, say 15 minutes.   There are many varieties of lentils, all grown from different plants.  One of the most popular and flavorful is the French Green, the yellowish Chana Dal of India as well as many others...

[oceanauk]

Wow - thanks guys!!!! (or gals!!!)

[ursula62]

clanad, in the UK ethnic grocers sell red lentils with  their skins on and call them brown lentils. They are not the same as the "continental" lentils (aka brown lentils) sold in the supermarket.