Lentils fall into that category of staple foods that includes rice and flour. They don't generally merit much thought because they are prevalent, yet they make up a crucial part of the diet of many in southern Asia and are popular anywhere Indian food is sold. At least, they didn't receive much thought until the Indian government banned lentil exports, which has resulted in shortages in other parts of the world, including the US. As a result, lentil prices are going up and some restaurants are turning to lentils from other countries, though "there are complaints from discerning customers who bemoan inferior quality."
The dried beans are such a staple that they are often eaten several times a day, especially by Indian vegetarians, so people have turned to hoarding them while still paying increasingly high prices. Until the ban in India is repealed, it doesn't seem like prices will be coming down any time soon. Fortunately, dried lentils keep for quite some time, so if you like lentil soups in the fall, it might be worth picking up a bag or two at the store, just in case.
10-02-2006 @7:38AM Dr. Electro said... I like my lentils many ways. I can't get the "pigeon peas" aka yellow lentils where I live. Our stores stock the brown lentil almost exclusively. I haven't noticed the prices lately because I always keep plenty of lentils in my pantry.
My bet is that even when India resumes exporting lentils in March that the prices will remain high. They may come down a little but just like gasoline we will never see them for less than a dollar a pound again.
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10-02-2006 @1:38PM MJ said... I always have large bags of these are hand and sometimes bu a good brand of the soup. Use to be very low cost! I wont be runnung you for along while. Buy very large bags of it for a dollar and the $ store!
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10-02-2006 @7:13PM foodswami said... aye this is right on the money,
prices have been goign crazy, and many indian shops only allow you to buy 1 bag per person, its getting wild.
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