Sugar snap peas and super sugar snap peas are similar but not exactly the same. Super Sugar Snap is an improved selection of the popular sugar snap pea variety. While they both belong to the same species, Pisum sativum, there are some differences in terms of their characteristics.
One of the main differences between sugar snap peas and super sugar snap peas is their maturity and pod quality. Super Sugar Snap is known for being earlier, meaning it reaches maturity and can be harvested sooner than regular sugar snap peas. This can be advantageous, especially if you want to enjoy fresh peas as early as possible in the growing season. Additionally, super sugar snap peas tend to have more numerous and plumper pods compared to the regular sugar snap pea variety. This means you’ll have a greater abundance of pods to enjoy in your meals.
Another important factor to consider is disease resistance. Super Sugar Snap peas are bred to be more disease resistant compared to regular sugar snap peas. This can be particularly beneficial if you are planting peas later in the season, as they may be more susceptible to certain diseases. By choosing the super sugar snap variety, you are increasing the chances of a successful harvest and reducing the risk of losing your plants to diseases.
In terms of taste and culinary uses, both sugar snap peas and super sugar snap peas are delicious and versatile. They can be eaten fresh out of the garden, added to salads, used as a dip for sauces or hummus, steamed, or stir-fried. The crisp and sweet taste of the pods makes them a popular choice among gardeners and food enthusiasts.
In my personal experience, I have grown both regular sugar snap peas and super sugar snap peas in my garden. I found that the super sugar snap variety indeed had more numerous and plumper pods, which made it a joy to harvest and enjoy in various dishes. The disease resistance of the super sugar snap peas also provided peace of mind, especially during a season when certain diseases were prevalent in my area.
To summarize, while sugar snap peas and super sugar snap peas are similar, the super sugar snap variety offers some improvements in terms of earliness, pod quality, and disease resistance. Whether you choose to grow regular sugar snap peas or opt for the improved super sugar snap variety, both will provide you with a delightful addition to your garden and culinary endeavors.
