Share
06-01-2025

Pulses in India

By JAIN College

List of 50 Pulses in India with Names

India is home to numerous varieties of pulses. Here is a list of 50 different pulses found in India, which are widely used in both traditional and modern cooking:

  1. Toor Dal (Pigeon Peas)
  2. Moong Dal (Green Gram)
  3. Masoor Dal (Red Lentils)
  4. Chana Dal (Split Chickpeas)
  5. Urid Dal (Black Gram)
  6. Moth Beans
  7. Rajma (Kidney Beans)
  8. Lobia (Black-eyed Beans)
  9. Kalaadi Dal
  10. Pulses (Arhar)
  11. Soybeans
  12. Horse Gram
  13. Gram (Chickpeas)
  14. Lentil Beans
  15. Green Gram
  16. Red Lentil
  17. White Beans
  18. Black Beans
  19. Yellow Beans
  20. Butter Beans
  21. Soya Beans
  22. Green Peas
  23. Black-eyed Peas
  24. Faba Beans
  25. Lima Beans
  26. Kidney Beans
  27. Bengal Gram
  28. Green Split Peas
  29. Yellow Split Peas
  30. Red Split Lentils
  31. Black Split Lentils
  32. Chickpeas
  33. Pea Beans
  34. Small Red Beans
  35. Broad Beans
  36. Mung Beans
  37. Split Mung Beans
  38. Horsegram Beans
  39. Tamarind Beans
  40. Peas
  41. Red Beans
  42. Spilt Peas
  43. Turmeric Beans
  44. Chili Beans
  45. Fusible Beans
  46. Moong Beans
  47. Natural Beans
  48. Burgundy Beans
  49. Jungle Beans
  50. Tapioca Beans

Pulses in India Explained:

Toor Dal (Pigeon Peas): A staple in Indian households, rich in protein and commonly used in sambhar and dal preparations.

Moong Dal (Green Gram): Light and easily digestible, ideal for soups and khichdi, packed with nutrients.

Masoor Dal (Red Lentils): A quick-cooking lentil with a mild flavor, perfect for creamy dals.

Chana Dal (Split Chickpeas): Nutty in taste, used in curries, chutneys, and Indian desserts like halwa.

Urid Dal (Black Gram): Integral to South Indian dishes like dosa and idli batter, rich in iron.

Moth Beans: Small brown beans, often sprouted for salads or cooked in Maharashtrian cuisines.

Rajma (Kidney Beans): A North Indian favorite for rajma curry, rich in protein and fiber.

Lobia (Black-eyed Beans): Commonly used in salads, curries, and soups, known for its earthy flavor.

Kalaadi Dal: A lesser-known pulse used in traditional Indian recipes, high in nutrients.

Pulses (Arhar): Another name for pigeon peas, widely consumed in dals across India.

Soybeans: A versatile legume, used for soy milk, tofu, and various curries.

Horse Gram: Known for its health benefits, used in rasam and soups to aid digestion.

Gram (Chickpeas): Available in black and white varieties, essential for making chhole and hummus.

Lentil Beans: Generic term for small, lens-shaped legumes used in various cuisines.

Green Gram: Whole moong beans, often sprouted for salads or ground for sweets.

Red Lentil: Quick-cooking lentil used in soups, dals, and stews.

White Beans: A mild-flavored bean used in stews, soups, and baked dishes.

Black Beans: Popular in Mexican cuisine, also used in Indian dishes for its earthy taste.

Yellow Beans: Known for their sweet flavor, often used in stews and salads.

Butter Beans: Creamy-textured beans, excellent in soups, salads, and casseroles.

Soya Beans: High-protein legume, used for making soy flour, milk, and meat alternatives.

Green Peas: Sweet and versatile, used in pulao, curries, and snacks like samosa filling.

Black-eyed Peas: A protein-rich bean, perfect for stews, curries, and salads.

Faba Beans: Also known as broad beans, used in stews, soups, and curries.

Lima Beans: Creamy and slightly sweet, ideal for soups, curries, and purees.

Kidney Beans: Rich in protein and iron, extensively used in rajma and Mexican dishes.

Bengal Gram: Known for its nutty flavor, commonly ground into flour for sweets and snacks.

Green Split Peas: High in fiber and protein, used in soups and stews.

Yellow Split Peas: Often used in dals and thick soups for their hearty texture.

Red Split Lentils: Perfect for creamy soups and quick-cooking dals.

Black Split Lentils: Often used in dal makhani, rich in flavor and protein.

Chickpeas: A versatile pulse, used in curries, salads, and snacks.

Pea Beans: Small, round, and ideal for soups and salads, rich in fiber.

Small Red Beans: Similar to kidney beans, used in soups and curries.

Broad Beans: Versatile beans used in soups, stir-fries, and stews.

Mung Beans: Whole moong beans, commonly sprouted or cooked in dals.

Split Mung Beans: A softer version of whole moong, used in dals and soups.

Horsegram Beans: Known for their heat-producing properties, used in rasam and curries.

Tamarind Beans: Rarely known, used in some regional Indian recipes.

Peas: Common green peas, sweet and versatile in curries and snacks.

Red Beans: Popular in soups and stews, rich in protein.

Split Peas: Green or yellow, used in hearty soups and stews.

Turmeric Beans: Rarely known, may refer to a regional pulse with a yellow hue.

Chili Beans: Spicy beans often used in Tex-Mex and Indian cuisines.

Fusible Beans: Likely referring to a mix of beans, common in soups.

Moong Beans: Whole or split, a staple in Indian cuisine for dals and soups.

Natural Beans: A general term for unprocessed, organic beans.

Burgundy Beans: Rarely used, may refer to dark-colored beans.

Jungle Beans: Regional beans, used in tribal and rural Indian cooking.

Tapioca Beans: Derived from cassava, used in some regional Indian snacks.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Pulses are the edible seeds of plants in the legume family, including lentils, beans, and peas. They are rich in protein, fiber, and essential nutrients.

India grows a wide variety of pulses, with over 20 major types like Toor Dal, Moong Dal, Chana Dal, and Urid Dal.

Some popular types include Toor Dal, Moong Dal, Masoor Dal, Chana Dal, Urid Dal, Rajma, Lobia, and Horse Gram.

Mung beans (Moong Dal) are considered the smallest pulse and are widely consumed for their high nutritional value.

Chickpeas (Chana Dal) and kidney beans (Rajma) are among the largest pulses in India in terms of size and consumption.

Toor Dal (Pigeon Peas) is one of the most common pulses, used widely in dishes like sambhar and dal fry.

All pulses are legumes, but not all legumes are pulses. Pulses are dried seeds of legumes, including lentils, peas, and beans.

Examples include Toor Dal, Chana Dal, Moong Dal, Rajma, Lobia, and Masoor Dal.

Pulses like Moong Dal, Toor Dal, and Chana Dal are rich sources of protein, making them staples in vegetarian diets.

Pulses are rich in protein, dietary fiber, vitamins, and minerals. They help in maintaining digestive health and support muscle growth.

India grows pulses like Toor Dal, Chana Dal, and grains like wheat and rice, which are staples in Indian households.

Chana Dal (Split Chickpeas) is commonly referred to as Gram in India.

Chana Dal (Split Chickpeas) is commonly referred to as Gram in India.

Yes, pulses are naturally gluten-free and are a great option for people with gluten intolerance or celiac disease

Moong Dal and Masoor Dal are low in calories and high in fiber, making them ideal for weight loss diets.

Urid Dal is commonly known as Black Gram in India.

Examples include Masoor Dal (Red Lentils), Toor Dal, and Moong Dal.

Pulses are classified based on size, shape, and usage. For instance, Toor Dal is medium-sized, while Moong Dal is small.

Pulses are classified based on size, shape, and usage. For instance, Toor Dal is medium-sized, while Moong Dal is small.

Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Maharashtra, and Uttar Pradesh are major producers of pulses in India.

Split pulses are dehusked and split seeds of legumes, such as Chana Dal and Toor Dal, which cook faster than whole pulses.

Yes, pulses can be consumed daily as they provide essential nutrients and protein for a balanced diet.

Pulses are used in various dishes, including dals, curries, soups, snacks, and desserts like halwa.

Whole pulses include Moong Beans, Rajma (Kidney Beans), and Lobia (Black-eyed Beans).

Examples include Chana Dal, Urid Dal, and Toor Dal, which are dehusked for easy cooking.

Urid Dal is used to make the batter for South Indian dishes like dosa and idli.

India exports a significant amount of Toor Dal, Moong Dal, and Masoor Dal to various countries.

Yes, pulses are considered superfoods due to their high protein, fiber, and nutrient content.

The calorie content of pulses varies, but 100 grams of cooked pulses typically provide 110–130 calories.

In India, pulses are commonly referred to as "dal."

Masoor Dal and Urid Dal are rich in iron, essential for preventing anemia.

Yes, pulses like Moong Beans and Moth Beans are often sprouted to enhance their nutritional value.

About the Author
Mekhala Joshi

JAIN College

JAIN PU College, a part of the renowned JGI Group, is committed to empowering students with quality education. Beyond academics, the college ensures its online content reflects the same standard of excellence. Every blog and article is meticulously vetted and proofread by subject matter experts to ensure accuracy, relevance, and clarity. From insightful educational topics to engaging discussions, JAIN PU College's content is crafted to inform, inspire, and add value to its readers, reflecting the institution's commitment to intellectual growth and innovation.

View all Blogs
Apply Now