My dream come true

We all have to deal with it at some point. You know: those things of unprecedented importance, things that are unparalleled. People who participate in them are looked up to with great awe, addressing them informally is not an option, you have respect, you are quiet when they are talking, and you don't say no when they ask for something.

Of that importance to us, a village or two further, is a select group of people. They meet annually to judge the taste of the Grey Pea together in a Legume Tasting Room. Now this may sound a bit playful to you, but we are talking about a tradition of over 120 years that everyone hopes to be invited to one day. Being able to participate in an important event like this is for many, and so it is for me.

And lo and behold, I was asked if I would like to be invited this year to participate as a guest taster. That's nice to know, that's how they do it in the better circles: first ask if you would like to receive an invitation, and then officially invite you. That way you never end up in a situation where you have to decline an invitation, and that is of course much more pleasant for both parties.

So it happened that at a good moment—a finally dry Friday evening—I had to report to the Broersen family's home, located on the Korte Ruigeweg in Oudesluis. This year, the Peulvruchtenproeflokaal was set up there.

Host Siem was busy chopping gherkins with three pans of legumes on the stove in front of him, while the rest of the group enjoyed a herbal liqueur conjured from the chairman's inside pocket. We soon received the message that the newspaper would not be present this year, John was sick in bed. Decades ago, John Oud, an employee of the Schager Courant, was invited to report on this important event, but it soon became clear that John was a real connoisseur. As a result, he was quickly promoted to one of the permanent jury members. What does that Narcissus farmer do on the side, John asked when we wished him well via Snapchat...

After some more chitchat about the ins and outs of the cows and calves we were allowed to sit at the table. Three full pans were waiting for us; The Lemon Bean, the Krombek and the Grey Pea.

A Grey Pea pre-soaked for 12 hours.

First up was the Grey “Eroïca” Pea. Perhaps it would be useful to introduce a few of the guests at the table to you. The silent force and driving force behind this company is Mr. Jan Dekker, together with his daughter Marjan. The good man is 89 years old, and according to host Siem, he is not to be gotten by gun. Both are as healthy as a fish and their minds as sharp as a knife. Cause… Grey Peas, I think. Dekker took over his father’s now 120-year-old business at a young age, and has been a member of the Legume Tasting Committee for more than 60 years. Today, Dekker Zaden is run by Peter, and he is also a member of the club. Peter is allowed to be present, but of course has no vote, the dealer is not allowed to inspect his own beans and peas. Of course, they do want him to be present to ensure that the beans are cooked properly, that everything is done fairly and, not least of all, his hearty laugh.

Largest grocer of grey peas in the Netherlands Peter Vader

Do you sell a lot of them, Peter? Well, we used to sell a lot, but these days we don't make a dime from them. A few hundred bags at most, but yes, to throw them out of the range after 120 years... I only sell them because I like them so much (hahaha). No, seriously, people come from far and wide every year to get their beans and peas here, loyal customers, and you can't let them down. Legumes simply belong in our shop.

Another colourful character at the Legume Tasting Table was Matty Dekker, daughter of Jan and sister of Marjan. Matty was frying the bacon when we arrived and soaked all the legumes the day before. And, most importantly, Matty knows how long to cook them and which ingredients make the Grey Pea taste best. I had already noticed that before we sat down at the table, Matty checked like a goat on an oat box whether all the side dishes were on the table, and while she was doing that she was already salivating and said five times that it was going to be delicious. I knew for sure, I had to make sure I sat next to Matty.

The Legume Tasting Committee

You can't help but start salivating when you see this delicacy, so I'll quickly tell you how the Grey Pea should be eaten according to Matty:

On the left the pre-soaked Grey Pea, on the right the dried bean

Grey Pea à la Matty :

• Soak the beans in water for 12 hours
• Then boil the Grey Peas for 1-2 hours in the same water they were soaked in. Add a pinch of salt while boiling.
• Place the pan with the water on the table, this way they will stay at the right temperature (this is important for the second and third plates you are going to serve).
• Scoop up with a spatula.

Add to the board:

• Chopped cucumber
• Amsterdam outings
• Silver onions
• Chopped raw onion
• Piccalilly
• Fried salty bacon
• Onions fried by Siem
• White raisins (Yes, raisins, really, they are very tasty)
• Melted butter

This was my first plate during this joyful feast, and I must honestly admit: it was heavenly. Rarely eaten so well. Well, except for the bacon bits, which I didn't need. Maybe it was the preparation, because when Matty was frying the bacon bits in the summer house, she did come in to ask how to turn off the fire alarm, but otherwise...

That I was not the only one who liked it was clear from the words of the chairman, after only three bites he said: "As far as I'm concerned, a solid nine". Of course we were there to judge the Grey Pea, and soon everyone agreed with Jan. Men, the covers are coming up tonight, it might even cost a few pairs of underpants but this is phenomenal. Help yourself!

Just for those of you who have never eaten peas or other members of the legume family in large quantities, you may experience some flatulence after consuming them in large quantities.

The knowledge that the Grey Pea in particular ensures considerable gas production is gratefully used in some cases. Don't tell anyone because Verstappen won't let me tell you, but a few plates of Grey Peas the day before ensure that Max accelerates much more. And everyone thinks it's his car's fault...

After the Grey Pea, the Lemon Bean was waiting for us to be judged. Not really a bean that I was eager to devour, because white beans are not really my thing. But yes, thanking is not an option in the Legume Tasting Room, the plate was generously filled by the enthusiastic Matty. Should something be added to or on top of this? No, a little syrup and melted butter, then it is at its best. Moses Pietjes, how I missed the mark here when it comes to my critical view of the white bean. What a taste sensation, the Lemon Bean is fantastic.

What will the grade be? A 7 came out of the chairman's mouth with a firm sound. I was shocked. The words cut through my soul like a blunt cleaver. How was that possible, a seven? The other jury members mumbled something, but soon the verdict was passed, the seven was the only one. I could hide it, but inside I started to feel a bit of a shiver, really, I could hardly keep it dry. After swallowing for a moment, I managed to say with a voice that almost broke: Mr. Chairman, would there be a possible scenario in which you could reconsider the grade 7 for the Lemon Bean? Jan looked around for a moment, but alas, he was certain of his case. No, they are overcooked, and yes, you can blame the cooking time, but the main reason that they have a somewhat limp, sticky texture is that they have not been able to ripen properly in the field this year. Too wet, too cold, too much rain. It hasn't been this wet in the fall since official weather measurements began in 1907, Dekker added, so it just wasn't the year for the Lemon Bean. If you look closely, you can see it, Matty said: Here, see this, and here and here, she said, poking my plate with the tip of her knife. All black dots, mold dots, they haven't been able to ripen and dry properly. Well, you should know that in addition to taste and structure, appearance also counts heavily in the assessment. We're really good, there's no way it's higher than a seven. Stop it now, she can be happy with a seven. I almost looked at Matty with a look that wondered if all the furniture in her upstairs room was in the right place, but she could clearly see from my nose that I thought differently. Unfortunately for the Lemon Bean, this year she's been sentenced to a seven, but please don't ignore her, dear people. Structure and appearance may be lacking in the eyes of the jury, her taste is sensational. Really delicious, a little dash of syrup and melted butter and I bet you can't resist having a second helping. That second helping probably makes the covers come up a bit at night, does it matter, it was delicious.

Peter Vader, the Grey Pea trader from Dekker Granen in Sint Maartenbrug, also agreed. The next morning I stopped by Peter's to get a kilo of Grey Peas and a bag of cat food and of course to talk about the jury reports from the previous day. The nine for the Grey Pea, we both agreed wholeheartedly. We both thought that the jury had given one point too many and the other one point too few for the Krombek and the Citroenboon. But yes, even in the Legume Tasting Room, the jury's results cannot be complained about.

Her name has already been mentioned, the third and last bean that appeared before the jury was the Krombek. Also a bean with a white coat, but she distinguishes herself from the rest of the white-colored beans by a hump in her back. The Krombek will live on this winter with an 8. I didn't completely agree with this either, but maybe the Krombek is just not my bean. I find her a bit mealy, bland, flat in taste. Perhaps it would have been different if I hadn't eaten that delicious Lemon bean first, but no, I didn't like her that much. But, if you like mealy, definitely try it.

So we were approaching the end of this tasting session, all the beans and peas had been judged and it was concluded joyfully with a final plate of the big winner of the evening for everyone: the not only tasty, but also super healthy, Grey Pea.

It is actually a shame that many people do not know how healthy legumes, and especially grey peas, are. Okay, they are indeed in the food pyramid, but who still reads this pyramid these days? If more people would see the importance of legumes, it would be world news. In addition, these legumes are grown in our own country: also good for the environment, to get food from nearby.

Another small note, the Grey Pea is often confused with the Capuchin Pea, which looks very similar. However, they are different peas. The Grey Pea has more flavor, is simply tastier, but the Capuchin has gained the upper hand because it has a harder skin, which makes it much better to store in jars and cans. Time to stop, I've had enough of all that writing.

Happy holidays and see you next time.

Carlos van der Veek

Hello, I'm here for a moment, that's the fun thing about youth, isn't it? After Pien had translated this story, she said; sounds like a nice porridge, you should offer this in the Fluwel shop. She's right of course, that I hadn't thought of that myself, I only think of bulbs. I quickly drove to Peter's and yes, it was allowed. All three of them will be available in the coming weeks in our Fluwel webshop under 'gift ideas'.