They also contain some fats and usually less starches than cereal grains. Amino acid composition is different and these seeds contain more of some amino acids than cereal grains do. See the diagram on page 208. The seeds of almost all legumes are toxic if eaten uncooked because of proteins or peptides that inhibit digestive enzymes. Discuss what common beans are.
Legumes are rich in protein.
Legumes are easily stored, harvested, etc. There are many ancient cultivars. Legumes in a market Domestication of legumes Lentils one of oldest. Wild small-seeded legumes used. 2000 B.C. In the Americas, Phaseolus coccineus in Tamps.