Small, lens-shaped seeds from a plant that are cooked and eaten as a nutritious food; they're high in protein and fiber.
From Latin lenticula meaning 'small lens,' referring to their flat, round shape. The lentil plant has been cultivated in the Middle East and India for over 13,000 years.
Lentils are one of the oldest cultivated crops—they've fed humans for longer than wheat. They're also one of the most sustainable proteins because they require far less water and fertilizer than meat, making them increasingly important as food security concerns grow.
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