The Red lentil Whole (Lens culinary or Lens esculenta) is an edible legume. It is a bushy annual plant known for its lens-shaped seeds. It is about 40 cm (16 in) tall, and the seeds grow in pods, usually with two seeds in each. As a food crop, the majority of world production comes from Canada, India. In cuisines of the Indian subcontinent, where lentils are a staple, split lentils (often with their hulls removed) known as daal are often cooked into a thick curry/gravy that is usually eaten with rice or rotis. Many different names in different parts of the world are used for the crop lentil; lentil (English), adas (Arabic), mercimek (Turkish), messer (Amharic), dahl or daal (Hindi) and hiramame (Japanese) are the most common names. Nutritional Value Red Lentils whole are often overlooked, even though they're an inexpensive way of getting a wide range of nutrients. they're packed with B vitamins, magnesium, zinc and potassium. Lentils are made up of over 25% protein, which makes them an excellent meat alternative. They're also a great source of iron, a mineral that is sometimes lacking in vegetarian diets. Though different types of lentils may vary slightly in their nutrient contents, one cup (198 grams) of cooked lentils generally provides about: Serving Size: 1cup Calories: 230 Carbs: 39.9 grams Protein: 17.9 grams Fat: 0.8 grams Fibre: 15.6 grams Thiamine: 22% Niacin: 10% of the RDI Vitamin B6: 18% of the RDI Folate: 90% of the RDI Pantothenic acid: 13% of the RDI Iron: 37% of the RDI