Lentils: Classes, types and varieties

Classes

Lentils are designated into two classes: Lentils, Red and Lentils, other than Red. The method of determining the class of a lentil is by cotyledon colour. Inspectors may need to visually inspect cotyledons to determine the class.

Types

Lentils may be categorized by type. A type may have a specific seed coat colour such as black or tan, or a specific characteristic, such as speckled green. The cotyledon color may be red, yellow or green.

Varieties

Lentil varieties may have a wide range of seed coat colours from green, red, speckled green, black and tan. The cotyledon color may be red, yellow or green.

There are a number of combinations of seed coat colours and cotyledon colours. This includes a red lentil variety with a green seed coat.