Pisum sativum var. saccharatum

'Pisum sativum'' var. saccharatum (Snow pea, mangetout''') is a variety of the pea. The name, mangetout (French for "eat all"), applies to both snow peas and snap peas.

It is one of the earliest-known cultivated plants. There is evidence that snow peas were cultivated in a region that is now along the Thailand-Burma border about 12,000 years ago.

It is speculated that the common name, snow pea, refers to the whitish tint reflected from the pods. The name may also come from their tendency to grow at the end of winter, just before the last spring freeze. They can become covered with snow during this time, but will still continue to grow well.

Along with other legumes, snow peas are hosts to beneficial bacteria, rhizobia, that fix the nitrogen in the soil, and is therefore a useful companion plant, especially useful to grow intercropped with green, leafy vegetables that benefit from the high nitrogen content in their soil.

The green shoots can be cut and served, as done in Chinese cooking, especially stir-fried with garlic or shellfish.

Nutrition
Snow peas are often eaten for their nutrition. They contain sufficient amounts of vitamins A, B, C, and K, and potassium. Snow peas have virtually no fat (0.13 g per 63 g of snow peas).