Farmers harvest tons of Britain’s first lentils

British farmers claim to have harvested the country’s first-ever lentil crops.

Six farms covering 24 acres across England made history in harvesting several tonnes of the non-split lentil. Their achievement was hailed as a “proof of concept” by growers that more non-native beans and pulses can be commercially grown in the UK.

The pulse is used widely to make dahl in Indian cuisine and grows best in hot and dry climates.

Josiah Meldrum, 43, the co-founder of food wholesaler Hodmedod, said the firm now planned to commercially harvest British-grown chick peas for the first time next year.