Lentils have the second-highest ratio of protein per calorie of any legume, after soybeans. In Palestine, lentils are called the poor man’s meat due to the high levels of protein. The baladi strain has richer taste than many other imported varieties, but like most indigenous strains it is on the verge of extinction due to the same facts affecting native species here in Palestine such as the “tedious” process of planting and harvesting, the invasion of much cheaper imported strains, in addition, the number of people appreciating the Baladi strains is declining due to the fast pace of life.
