The story of beans and peas weaves through human civilisation like a foundational thread, stretching back to ancient Peru around 7,000 BCE and the fertile valleys of the Middle East. Ancient Egyptians valued peas so highly that they included them in tomb offerings, while Greeks and Romans relied on legumes as crucial protein sources. Native American agriculturists developed the ingenious Three Sisters method, interplanting climbing beans with corn and squash in a sustainable growing system. Mediaeval Europeans survived on hearty pease porridge, while sailors crossed oceans with stored dried peas to prevent scurvy. Even King Louis XIV influenced legume history, making fresh green peas fashionable among European nobility. From the global impact of soybeans to the modern revival of heritage bean varieties in vibrant colours and patterns, these crops continue to adapt and sustain communities worldwide.