333937 Fri Oct 13 18:52:59 -0700 2006 6 27 General Chowhounding Topics 0 1944224 Are they the same? I have read conflicting reports. The one said that Cow peas are so much tastier than Black eyed (and healthier). Another said that Black eyed are also known as Cow peas. It's the same, just a different name. Anyone? Fri Oct 13 18:52:59 -0700 2006 11587 Main Line Tracey 1 1944304 Edna Lewis and Scott Peacock wrote a wonderful book called THE GIFT OF SOUTHERN COOKING. On pg. 68 there is a discussion of Field Peas that begins, "Field peas are a distinct but sometimes confusing family of legumes, with many varieties know by different names in different regions of the South." When discussing Black-Eyed Peas they state, "Even the generic name changes; in California these legumes (black-eyed peas) are called 'shell peas,' and some folks use the term 'cow peas'." Elizabeth Schneider's VEGETABLES FROM AMARANTH TO ZUCCHINI is very complete and more scholarly. Pg 61, the chapter on "beans, shelling" lists Southern Pea, Cowpea both classified as Vigna unguicilata with a sub-heading "also called blackeye or black-eyed peas, field peas". I searched Frank Stitt's HIGHLAND GRILL book but didn't get an answer so I'll stick with Lewis & Peacock as my authorities. Fri Oct 13 19:20:51 -0700 2006 1944224 15743 Sherri 1 1944352 So they are the same! Thanks so much for the research and clarification. Fri Oct 13 19:35:35 -0700 2006 1944224 11587 Main Line Tracey 1 1944439 They are not "true beans" of American origin but peas of African origin. Fri Oct 13 20:01:35 -0700 2006 1944224 13819 Karl S 1 1945698 OK then what are "crowder peas"? Sat Oct 14 13:44:39 -0700 2006 1944224 11234 toodie jane 2 1945791 Continuing to cite Schneider (see above), "To help make order of the diverse southernpeas, Blair Buckley, a breeder at the Calhoun Research Center at Louisina State Universtiy, puts them into the following groups, beginning with the most delicate and winding up with the most intense. CREAM or LADY PEAS PINKEYE PURPLE HULL TYPES BLACKEYE TYPE CROWDER TYPE" She goes on to describe Crowder Peas "...They seem to be the most love-it or leave-it of the Southern legumes -- and a strong regional favorite". Sat Oct 14 15:13:29 -0700 2006 1945698 15743 Sherri 2 1946316 A type of cowpea. Cowpea is the broad name for African peas. Sat Oct 14 22:27:20 -0700 2006 1945698 13819 Karl S