The lentil (Lens culinaris or Lens esculenta) is an edible legume. It is an annual plant known for its lens-shaped seeds.
Lentils with husks remain whole with moderate cooking, while those without husks tend to disintegrate into a thick purée, which may enable various dishes.
The composition of lentils leads to a high emulsifying capacity which can be even increased by dough fermentation in bread making.