Buying And Storing

Buying Pulses

Pulses are available in dry, canned and sometimes frozen formats in all grocery stores. Choose the format that works best for you!

Buying Local

While Alberta grows a wide variety of pulses, packaging of these products takes place outside the province. To support our local pulse farmers, look for Product of Canada on the label of dry and canned pulses.

Dry Pulses

Dry pulses may be found in a variety of locations in the grocery store. Look for them in the canned foods or canned protein/fish section or in the rice, dried grains, bulk or international foods section.

When buying dry pulses, look for:

uniform size;
brightly coloured seeds;
smooth skins without chips or shrivelled coats

Canned Pulses

Canned pulses are convenient as they are pre-cooked and ready to use. Look for canned pulses in the canned foods, canned beans or canned protein/fish sections of the grocery store.

Storing Pulses

Properly storing dry, canned and cooked pulses is easy and ensures that you have pulses available whenever you need them!

Dry Pulses

Store dry pulses in a tightly covered, airtight container in a cool, dry place.
If exposed to light, over time, dry pulses tend to lose their colour but flavour, nutrition and texture will not be affected as long as they are tightly sealed.
It is best to use dry pulses within one year of purchase.
The longer dry pulses are stored, the drier they become. This means they may take longer to cook and remain slightly chewy after cooking.

Canned Pulses

Unopened canned pulses are best stored in a cool, dry place for up to one year or until the best before date on the can.

Cooked Pulses

Cooked pulses or opened, drained and rinsed canned pulses can be stored in the:
Refrigerator for 1 to 3 days in airtight containers.
Freezer for up to 6 months in airtight containers or freezer bags. To freeze:
- Lightly pat dry to remove some surface moisture.
- Measure out into 1 or 2 cup (250 or 500 mL) portions into airtight containers or lay flat in plastic freezer bags.
- Thaw in the refrigerator before using.

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